WAZA Claims Spot in Championship Finals
March 13, 2012 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Waza Flo News Release
(Detroit, MI) The Detroit WAZA FLO continued their winning ways this weekend by defeating Revolucion Tijuana 9-7 in Friday's semi-final match of the Ron Newman Cup in Del Mar, California. The win advances WAZA to face the San Diego Sockers in Saturday's championship game.
This victory marks Detroit's first appearance at a PASL championship and caps their best season in WAZA FLO's history. "We know that there is one more game to go. So, we're not getting carried away. Tonight is a special night. We've made it this far. Now we want to win the championship, simple as that," said head coach Costea Decu. "We're happy to win tonight but we know we still have one more game."
Detroit opened up the scoring at the 1:33 minute mark when Fernando Gatica found net off of an Aaron Byrd assist. Tijuana quickly evened the score, 1-1, less than a minute later. Costea Decu and Ryan Mack, both assisted by Dominic Scicluna, were able to score ending the first quarter with a 3-1 lead.
The second quarter was fairly evenly played. Tijuana was able to add two points to their tally, yet WAZA maintained the lead. Ryan Mack was able to find his second goal of the game with an assist from Aaron Byrd. Worteh Sampson completed his set of braces with assists from Aaron Byrd and Darrel Quinn, finishing the half Detroit up 6-3.
The Revolucion scored the third quarter's only point five minutes in, bringing the score to 6-4. Aaron Byrd and Costea Decu, both assisted by Ryan Mack, were able to add two additional Detroit goals at the start of the fourth quarter building an 8-4 lead. Making an aggressive run in the final ten minutes of the game, Tijuana let it be known that they were not going to go away quietly. With three consecutive goals, the Revolucion was able to cut the WAZA lead to 8-7. Detroit held Tijuana in check in the final minutes, with Miki Djerisilo adding an insurance goal, and pulling out the thrilling 9-7 win.
Added Decu, "This is certainly one of the most dramatic wins we have had. I told the guys not to quit, not to get down. I'm very proud of my team and the effort they showed to get us here. The championship has been on our minds for the whole season. Making it to the final has been our main goal. If we can win this one last match, it would just be amazing. Amazing not only for us but for our fans and everybody back home."
The Detroit WAZA FLO are charter members of the Professional Arena Soccer League, which is starting its fourth season of play. For more information, visit the team's home page at www.detroitwaza.com or the PASL's official website at www.paslsoccer.com.
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from March 13, 2012
- Detroit Unable to Overcome San Diego Sockers - Waza Flo
- WAZA Claims Spot in Championship Finals - Waza Flo
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