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MASL Milwaukee Wave

Wave Take Down First Place Florida Tropics in Overtime

February 16, 2020 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Milwaukee Wave News Release


The Milwaukee Wave definitely had their toughest test of the regular season to date, a rematch with the one loss Florida Tropics who beat the Wave in their home opener back in December. However, despite injuries and a defensive struggle that left the first period scoreless, the Wave managed to be not the only team to beat the Tropics once, but twice in the regular season.

The Wave took advantage first with a goal by local hero Andrew Wiedabach (assisted by Alex Bradley) five minutes into the second period. Florida would tie the game later in the second, only for Wave Captain Ian Bennett to respond with an unassisted goal, his 28th of the season.

The Tropics took the lead heading into halftime with two goals in the final two minutes. The Wave tied the game off a power play goal by Luan Oliveira (assisted by Max Ferdinand) with just under five minutes in the third period. The Tropics would briefly regain the lead, only for the Wave to respond shortly after with the first goal for Derek Huffman in a Wave uniform, assisted by Guilherme Veiga.

However, the Tropics retook the lead again, going up 5-4 after three periods. The Wave would even the score again as the fourth period waned with a goal by Bradley assisted by Ferdinand, which also be the final goal scored in regulation. In almost a direct repeat of their matchup at the UW Panther Arena, the Tropics and Wave went to overtime, this time with opposite result of their home opener as Angel Curiel scored the unassisted game winner 4 minutes into the overtime period.

For Wave Coach Giuliano Oliviero he got his 100th coaching win since taking over the Wave 2014. However, Coach Oliviero was more relieved with the win and proud of his players, "it doesn't cross my mind about how many wins, I just take it game by game and I have a great group of players." After giving further credit to his coaching staff the winning environment of the Wave organization, Coach Oliviero spoke candidly about the win against the Tropics saying "coming into tonight Florida was 14-1 for a reason, they are very good team, an injury to Marcio Leite and foul trouble for Daniel Chamale didn't make it any easier, but I love how the team handled the adversity and stuck to it."

The other major story was the debut of former Baltimore Blast goaltender Joey Kapinos, who stopped 15 of 20 shots for the Wave as the starter in place of the injured Rafa Dias. Kapinos last played for the Blast in 2018-2019 and was more than proud of his efforts saying "it's a great debut for me personally and I know I had to stand on my head against a very quality team."

The Wave (10-4) take on the Kansas City Comets on the road Friday February 21 at 7:05 pm before returning to the UW Panther Arena to take the St. Louis Ambush at 1:07 pm Sunday, February 23. Join us for our Doggy Rave with the Wave, Team Zoom Canine Entertainment & Sunday Funday! Bring your pup to the arena with the purchase of a special Wave dog ticket!

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