MISL Milwaukee Wave

Wave Beat Monterrey, Clinch Regular Season Title

March 14, 2010 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Milwaukee Wave News Release


MILWAUKEE (March 14, 2010) - The dark cloud of uncertainty that hovered over the Milwaukee Wave's future in July gave way a tumultuous champagne shower in March, after they clinched the Major Indoor Soccer League regular season title on Sunday with a 17-12 victory over La Raza de Monterrey at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Their six-game winning streak means the Wave (12-6) greet the semifinal round winner at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 4 in the Kohl's MISL Championship Game, presented by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"This is just a great feeling," said defender JP Rodrigues, who scored two goals, including the last. "If you ask me my best soccer moment right now, this is it."

Though taking a 5-0 lead, the Wave never could shake Monterrey (9-10), which dropped its fifth consecutive game, all on the road. La Raza battled the entire game and pulled within 13-12 with 7:37 remaining on a restart goal by Genoni Martinez.

Josh Rife clinched his Man of the Match honor about 90 seconds later, however, capping a hat trick with a spinning right-footed shot off a smart touch by Troy Dusosky. Monterrey inserted Victor Quiroz as the sixth attacker with 4:32 remaining and brought pressure, but Rodrigues potted a rebound of Travis MacKenzie's shot off the boards with 1:54 to go. Rife also blocked a team-high five shots.

"The team stuck to the game plan, and they brought a lot of heart and soul to it," said Wave head coach Keith Tozer, dress shirt soaked with bubbly. "We won this. We made some mistakes, but we got through it and got the win."

Wearing their green jerseys for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, the Wave got some Irish luck quickly. Rodrigues played a ball toward the box from the right wing that was supposed to find a teammate, but it trickled through everyone and surprised Monterrey keeper Steve Reese for an unlikely 3-pointer.

"We stressed all week, set the tone from the beginning," said Rodrigues, who was celebrated his first pro championship of any kind. "My goal was a little lucky, but it went in and helped us out."

It was 5-0 before Monterrey battled back. The Wave - who got points from 10 of their 14 active field players - appeared to finally get some space when Travis MacKenzie leaped to head in a rebound over Reese in the third, making it 13-8.

La Raza would not be denied, with two goals midway though the fourth. Seven different players scored three points each for Monterrey, but the league's best 3-point scoring team didn't get a single one. Milwaukee also killed 2 of 3 power plays in the match.

Nick Vorberg stopped 10 of 16 shots to improve his record to 7-4.

The Wave end the regular season with two games against Philadelphia. The School Day Game is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, and tickets are available to the general public for $20. On Saturday, Fan Appreciation Day kicks off at 6 p.m. Prizes will be given away the entire day, and all players participate in a 30-minute autograph session on the field following the game.

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Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from March 14, 2010


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