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XSL Milwaukee Wave

Wave fall in wild one, 17-16

February 22, 2009 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Milwaukee Wave News Release


MILWAUKEE (Feb. 15, 2009) - There's no denying that the rivalry between the Milwaukee Wave and the Chicago Storm has grown quite intense over the years. But it was one-sided this season, with the Wave winning the first three matchups. It was a trend the Storm wasn't going to let continue, as they knocked off the Wave 17-16 at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

The loss puts Milwaukee (7-5) a half-game back of the Detroit Ignition for first place in the XSL standings. Chicago (5-8) now trails the Ironmen by just three games.

The scoring started at the 9:41 mark in the first quarter, when Fabinho hit a three point shot to give Chicago the early lead. The Wave would quickly answer with a three-point goal of their own, Nilson Pernambuco's first goal of the season.

Ian Bennett took a ball from Frederico Moojen and put it in the back of the net with 1:43 to play in the first, giving Chicago a two-point lead. Dan Antoniuk extended that lead with a shot at the 11:18 mark in the second quarter.

Seeking a comeback, the Wave turned to their leading goal-scorer on the season, rookie Marco Terminesi. Terminesi gathered a brilliant pass sent downfield from Tenzin Rampa midway through the second quarter and converted it into a three-point goal. Two minutes later, he scored his 10th goal of the season to give Milwaukee an 8-7 lead.

Terminesi had a hand in the next goal as well, dropping the ball back to Rampa for his first career goal, and Milwaukee went into halftime leading 10-7.

But this game was far from over for Chicago. The Storm started the third quarter with three straight goals, the first one being a three-point score from Antoniuk. Four minutes later, Lazo Alavanja hit the fifth three-point goal of the game to put Chicago back in front. Frederico Moojen made his contribution at the 9:17 mark, putting the score at 15-10 in favor of the Storm.

Facing a deficit once again, Milwaukee rallied back. With 5:21 to play in the third, Terminesi found Joe Hammes who put the Wave within three. A Travis MacKenzie goal one minute into the fourth quarter closed the gap even more, with the Wave trailing by just one point.

The teams would exchange another pair of goals, but Milwaukee still trailed by one in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. Milwaukee fired shot after shot, doing its best to try to send the home fans happy. But a MacKenzie header went just right of the goal with :05 left in the game, and Chicago escaped with the 17-16 victory.

The Wave's next two matches will be in Chicago, and the rivalry will surely be more heated after their heartbreaking loss. They will return home on March 15 when they host the Detroit Ignition. Tickets are available at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by calling the Wave office at 414-224-9283.

Founded this summer by the Milwaukee Wave, Detroit Ignition, New Jersey Ironmen and Chicago Storm, the Xtreme Soccer League is more than an indoor soccer league. The Xtreme Soccer Xperience is an energetic and innovative 12-month sports lifestyle brand built around skilled soccer professionals, entertainment and fan participation -- both live and online. For more information, visit XtremeSL.net.

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