Wichita Takes Overtime Victory over Syracuse
December 8, 2012 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
Syracuse, NY -- The Syracuse Silver Knights dropped a heart-breaker on Saturday night, falling 12-10 to the Wichita Wings in overtime. In a back and forth match that saw five lead changes the Silver Knights got off to a slow start, falling behind 5-0 in the first quarter. Syracuse would then rally to lead 10-7 in the third quarter, only to see Wichita force overtime and find the sudden death winner.
Wichita opened the scoring in the first quarter when wings player converted a breakaway chance on the counter-attack following a Knights turnover in midfield. Syracuse goalkeeper Bryan O'Quinn closed down the angle and was able to get a touch but couldn't prevent the ball crossing the line for the goal.
After a fast paced end-to-end sequence of play, the Silver Knights were whistled for a foul in the corner. From the restart Matt Clare, returning to Syracuse after being traded to Wichita, found himself open at the top of the arc. He seized the opportunity as his shot found the roof of the net beating 0'Quinn for the 3pt goal.
Syracuse came out looking more composed in the second quarter, stringing passes together and keeping more possession of the ball. Despite the possession, they struggled to find the final pass to create a goal until a moment of individual skill from Nelson Santana opened the door. Santana tricked his way past Clare with a quick feint and sole drag to create the space to shoot, then made no mistake tucking the ball into the corner to make it 5-2.
With ten minutes remaining in the first half, Wichita was issued a two-minute penalty after a Wings defender took down Bryan Perez. Wichita's defense was solid and the Knights were unable to capitalize on the man advantage.
Syracuse got a lift before the half when Bryan Perez scored to make it 5-4 with just 48 seconds remaining. Perez stripped the ball from a defender and fired low between Wings keeper Sanaldo's legs.
The second half would prove to be a back and forth affair. First Neto scored for Syracuse, slotting it low for his 11th goal of the season after a great turn to beat a pair of defenders.
Wichita answered back as Geison cut inside to finish a ball into the lower corner just past the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper.
Almost immediately Syracuse answered back. Neto, with some more good back-to-goal play, held the ball up and laid it off to an onrushing Ryan Hall. Hall made no mistake and fired a one-timer into the lower corner.
The Silver Knights looked to be in the driver's seat when Kenardo Forbes finished an Andriy Budniyy pass to make it 10-7. Bo Jelovac then received a two-minute penalty that the Knights were able to kill thanks to tough defending and several big stops from O'Quinn.
The tide of the match turned once more when Matt Clare curled in his second 3point goal of the match to tie the game at 10 with 1:25 remaining. That sent the game to overtime, where after several chances at both ends Geison squeezed a deflected shot past the goalkeeper to give the Wings the win.
With the defeat Syracuse falls to 3-6 on the season while Wichita improves to 2-5. The Silver Knights next play on Friday 12/14, when they host the Missouri Comets at 7:30 pm at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena.
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Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from December 8, 2012
- Wichita Takes Overtime Victory over Syracuse - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Wichita Takes Overtime Victory over Syracuse - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Wichita Takes Overtime Victory over Syracuse - Syracuse Silver Knights
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