MISL 2 Milwaukee Wave

Wave defeats Force in overtime, 10-9

Published on May 14, 2005 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Milwaukee Wave News Release


MILWAUKEE – In front of 6,951 enthusiastic fans at U.S. Cellular Arena, the Milwaukee Wave defeated the Cleveland Force 10-9 in overtime of Game One of the 2005 Major Indoor Soccer League Championship Series Finals. Leading the Wave in the victory was forward and two-time League MVP Greg Howes with five goals and one assist, along with Todd Dusosky, who tallied six assists on the night. Cleveland took a 9-8 lead with just two minutes left in regulation. Milwaukee's Michael King tied the game at nine with only 22 seconds, and Johnny Torres scored the game-winning goal at 6:05 in the extra session to complete the comeback.

Cleveland received three goals and one assist from Aaron Susi and one goal and two assists from team captain John Ball.

However, as Howes caught fire so did the MISL Regular Season Champion Wave. The Force led 5-1 midway through the second quarter, before Howes scored four consecutive Wave goals. A Marcelo Fontana goal tied it at 6, at 14:28 of the third quarter.

"A 10-9 overtime game, the fans were great, an unbelievable game," said Howes, a 28-year-old, who has played five season with the Wave. "We had one more goal than our opponent, that's all that matters."

Susi and Wave veteran Michael King traded goals in the fourth quarter until Howes put Milwaukee ahead for the first time since early in the first quarter, with his fifth goal at 5:08 of the fourth. Cleveland got goals from Susi (12:16) and Chris Handsor (12:55), to regain a 9-8 lead late in the quarter; however, King tied it off a Howes assist with 22 seconds left in regulation.

"We've been in that situation numerous times this year. I found a passing lane and a pass from Greg Howes," King said. "It was a goal I should have scored and I am glad that I did."

For the game, Milwaukee had a 50-32 edge in shots. Winning goalkeeper Nick Vorberg made 13 saves for the Wave. Jim Larkin had 19 saves for Cleveland.

Televised live on ESPN2, Game Two of the Finals will be played on Saturday, May 21, at St. Louis' Savvis Center (6 p.m. CDT). Should Cleveland win Game Two, the postseason Champion would be decided with a "golden goal" session, immediately following the completion of Game Two.

The Milwaukee Wave was established in 1984 as one of six charter members of the American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA). In 2001, the Wave transitioned to being a successful member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). Through the guidance of head coach Keith Tozer, the winningest coach in Wave and North American indoor soccer history, the Wave has won three league titles (1997-'98, '99-2000, 2000-'01), six regular season championships, and has made six championship series appearances. The Wave plays at home in the US Cellular Arena located in downtown Milwaukee. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the team's website at www.MilwaukeeWave.com or call 414-224-WAVE (9283).

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from May 14, 2005


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