Storm's Second-Half Effort Falls Short

Published on December 31, 2008 under Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Chicago Storm News Release


MILWAUKEE (Dec. 31, 2008) - Despite some strong play in the net from Chicago Storm goalkeeper Jeff Richey and some early penalty kills, the Storm fell to the Milwaukee Wave for a second time this 2008-2009 Xtreme Soccer League season, 14-10, on Wednesday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The first-place Wave improve to 3-0, while Chicago falls to 2-2 this season.

Next up for the Storm is a 1 p.m. match on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009, against the New Jersey Ironmen at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Doors open at noon. The game is Military Appreciation Day.

On Wednesday, Chicago's Ian Bennett and Stephen Armstrong each scored their first two goals apiece of the season after the Storm went through a scoreless first half, trailing 4-0 at halftime. But Milwaukee forward Giuliano Oliviero was the man of the match with three goals (two in the first half), including the game-winner at the 11:38 mark of the fourth quarter to give the Wave a 12-10 lead. Oliviero also assisted two other goals.

"In the second quarter, we went away from our game plan and started freelancing, doing some silly things," Storm head coach Steve Morris said. "I thought we played a good third quarter and even a good fourth. But we also had some silly penalties toward the end."

Armstrong had three penalties and thus received a red card at the 12:19 mark of the fourth quarter. Milwaukee capitalized with a power play goal to put the match out of reach with a four-point advantage.

Richey had a busy afternoon in the net, saving 20 of 26 shots, including nine saves in the second quarter alone. Chicago's defense also had 10 blocks. "Jeff's been fantastic. He's here to keep us in games, and he's been doing that all season," Morris said.

Storm forward Chris Cerroni had his team-leading fourth goal of the season at the 14:22 mark of the third quarter, a power play tally on an assist from Armstrong. Armstrong created some momentum for the Storm into the fourth quarter with a power play goal of his own at the 5:08 mark, off of a Cerroni assist.

MILWAUKEE 14, CHICAGO STORM 10

Storm 0 0 8 2 - 10

Wave 2 2 6 4 - 14

Scoring

First quarter: 1, MIL, Oliviero (Dusosky), 10:08.

Second quarter: 2, MIL, Oliviero (Przednowek), 10:43.

Third quarter: 3, CHI, Bennett (unassisted), 1:12; 4, CHI, Bennett (Morad), 3:32; 5, MIL, Santos (Oliviero), 4:31; 6, CHI, Armstrong (Alavanja), 4:47; 7, MIL, Santos (Fontana), 6:44; 8, MIL, MacKenzie (Santos), 11:13; 9, CHI, Cerroni (Armstrong), ppg, 14:22.

Fourth quarter: 10, CHI, Armstrong (Cerroni), ppg, 5:08; 11, MIL, Oliviero (Chico), 11:38; 12, MIL, Fontana (Oliviero), ppg, 14:06.

Saves: Chicago (Richey 20, Alavanja 0) 20, Milwaukee (Feenstra 14) 14.

Penalties

First quarter: 1, MIL, Rodrigues (5 minutes, dissent), 10:53

Second quarter: 2, CHI, Armstrong (2 minutes, elbowing), 2:53; 3, CHI, Morad (2 minutes, endangering the goalkeeper), 5:02; 4, CHI, Armstrong (5 minutes, dissent), 5:02; 5, MIL, Rodrigues (2 minutes, boarding), 12:18.

Third quarter: 6, MIL, Too many men on the field (2 minutes, served by Przednowek).

Fourth quarter: 7, CHI, Savic (2 minutes, boarding), 0:46; 8, MIL, Dusosky (2 minutes, ); 9, CHI, Armstrong (2 minutes, elbowing), 12:19 (red card for three penalties); 9, Alavanja (2 minutes, tripping), 14:28; 10, Morad (5 minutes, dissent), 14:28.

Attendance: 3,589.

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Xtreme Soccer League Stories from December 31, 2008


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