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Milwaukee Wave

Wave Head to Sunny California for Pair of Games this Weekend

February 28, 2020 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Milwaukee Wave News Release


The Milwaukee Wave take on the number two team in the Western Division, the 13-6 San Diego Sockers. This will be the first matchup between them this season, with the Sockers coming off a road win against the Dallas Sidekicks on February 23rd, while the Wave riding a three game winning streak including a win against St. Louis Ambush, also on the 23rd.

The Sockers are probably one of the most balanced teams in the league, four players having scored double-digit goals this season and ten players on the team registering double-digit total points so far this season. The Sockers do have a suspect defense with an only a plus-15 goal differential and have been heavily penalized this season, averaging 9.1 penalty minutes per game versus the Wave's 3.4. San Diego's power play efficiency is also lacking as they have a power play just under 25% effective this season.

Neither team has locked up a playoff spot yet, but the Wave (12-4) need wins as they are third in the Eastern Division, one game behind Utica City FC. San Diego is two and a half games ahead of the Ontario Fury (the Wave's opponent Sunday), the latter of whom sits in third place of the Western Division.

Ian Bennett is coming off an amazing performance against St. Louis in the Wave's last game. The Wave team captain put seven points (six goals and one assist), which moved the Bennett to second place amongst the MASL leaders in goal scoring with 37.

Wave striker Luan Oliveira spent both two seasons in San Diego before joining Milwaukee in the 2018-2019 season. Luan is looking forward to facing his old team (and on the week of his birthday no less), saying that "I enjoy the weather there, but we have business to take care of, to put us in a good spot for the playoff race."

Coach Giuliano Oliviero said that the team is more than ready for the west coast road trip, "We took plenty of time to adapt to the travel, we're leaving early and will take extra care physically to prepare our bodies for the game." Coach Oliviero also spoke highly of San Diego, calling them a storied franchise and of the most successful in arena soccer.

The Wave take on the San Diego Sockers Saturday February 29 at 9:05 pm central time, watch the game on MASL.tv

Milwaukee Wave vs Ontario Fury March 1, 2020

The Wave conclude the second game of a two game road trip by taking the MASL's leading scorer Franck Tayou and the Ontario Fury (10-8). Tayou has the most goals and points in the MASL this season (40 and 57 respectively), while the Fury are riding off one of the hottest streaks in the league with a six game winning streak, taking a once dead team and making them into a playoff contender.

The Fury have a plus-18 goal differential, with a 52% power play and a 63% penalty kill. This is the first match between the Fury and Wave this season. The Wave are attempting overtake the Utica City FC for second place in the Eastern Division and leave the west coast with a second constructive road win and their fifth straight overall.

Wave midfielder Luan Oliveira played for the Ontario Fury in the 2015-2016 season getting 5 goals and 5 assists in 7 games. Oliveira said that he is looking forward to battling his old teammates and made clear that he felt that the Wave's greatest key to victory is to "simply keep doing what we have been doing good all season. That type of play got us to the championship last year, and if we keep up with them defensively, we should be able to our better guns to get past their defense eventually."

Coach Giuliano Oliviero offered a similar vibe of optimism for the team heading into the second half of a back-to-back game set, taking it one game at time and not focusing on whether either Ontario (or their other opponent San Diego) could be a championship matchup.

Coach also gave an injury update, announcing Marcio Leite will return to lineup during the road trip, with Mario Alvarez almost a full participant in practice again, meaning Alvarez could be ready to go as early as the Wave's two game series against Orlando barring any setbacks.

The Wave (12-4) take on Ontario at 5:05 pm central time, watch the game on MASL.tv

When the Wave return home it will be on Saturday March 7 for game 1 of a rare home back-to-back pair of games against the Orlando SeaWolves. First Kick will be at 6:07 pm and will also be our On Wisconsin night! Performance by the Echoes of Camp Randall! Enjoy a performance from members of the UW- Madison Marching Band.

For tickets and more information visit MilwaukeeWave.com.

Check out the Milwaukee Wave Statistics

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Major Arena Soccer League Stories from February 28, 2020


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