Wave improve to 3-0 and stay atop XSL standings
Published on December 31, 2008 under Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Milwaukee Wave News Release
MILWAUKEE (Dec. 31, 2008) - The Milwaukee Wave said goodbye to 2008 with a thrilling victory over the Chicago Storm in the team's annual New Year's Eve game. Giuliano Oliviero recorded a hat trick and two assists, while Jonathan Santos scored two goals and an assist in the Wave's 14-10 win over the Storm.
The victory gives the Wave their eighth 3-0 start in the team's 25-year history and puts the team up 1½ games for first place in the XSL.
In the first period of Wednesday's game, Oliviero took a pass from Troy Dusosky and drilled the ball into the corner of the net.
With just under five minutes remaining in the first half, Oliviero took a crisp pass from Jacek Przednowek and lobbed another score over the head of Chicago goalkeeper Jeff Richey for his second goal of the game. It was 4-0 Milwaukee at halftime.
In the second half, the Storm wasted no time when Ian Bennett connected on a short-range goal just over a minute into the half, igniting a third-quarter scoring frenzy. Following his first goal, Bennett would tie the game at 4 with his second goal within the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second half.
Not to be left out, Santos answered back for the Wave, scoring a goal one minute later to put the Wave up 6-4. Sixteen seconds later Chicago responded when Stephen Armstrong slipped one past Wave goalkeeper Marcel Feenstra.
The barrage of goals continued for both teams when Santos took a pass and hammered it into the back of the net. Santos' goal, followed by a midfield celebration, put the Wave up by two points midway through the third quarter.
The teams continued an exciting third quarter, trading two more goals and scoring fourteen points in all.
Five minutes into the fourth, Armstrong scored his second goal for Chicago, rebounding a ball off a teammate and into the net, tying the game at 10-all.
Oliviero notched his hat trick and the game's decisive goal with just over three minutes remaining in the game, in front of a U.S. Cellular Area crowd of 3,589.
Chicago's Armstrong, who recorded two goals and an assist, was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter after receiving his second blue card penalty for elbowing.
The Wave's Marcelo Fontana recorded a goal and an assist. Travis MacKenzie also had a goal for Milwaukee (3-0). Chris Cerroni had a goal and assist for Chicago (2-2).
Milwaukee's next game will features the Wave battling the Detroit Ignition at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The game will include the Parade of Champions, honoring the area's soccer teams, followed by the inaugural NOW Newspapers High School All-Star Game.
Tickets are available at any Ticketmaster outlet or by calling 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.
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from December 31, 2008
- Wave improve to 3-0 and stay atop XSL standings - Milwaukee Wave
- Storm's Second-Half Effort Falls Short - Chicago Storm
- XSL Weekly Update - XSL
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