Wings Vs. Comets - January 7 Game Preview
January 5, 2012 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Wichita Wings News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Wings of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) will play host to their I-35 and Central Division rival the Missouri Comets on Saturday, January 7th. Kick-off is scheduled at 7:35pm (CT) at Hartman Arena.
The Missouri Comets and Wichita Wings have met four times this season, with the Comets currently leading the series 3-1. All four games have been competitive with nearly each game coming down to the wire. In the team's first matchup of the season, Missouri escaped with a 16-14 OT win at Hartman Arena, shutting down the Wings hopes of a win at their home opener. The following evening Missouri ran away with the game on two late 3-point goals while Wichita played with a 6th attacker. In the third matchup of the season, Missouri regained the lead in the fourth quarter and never looked back; the game ended 10-7 in Missouri's favor.
The most recent Wings-Comets matchup on December 30th saw Wichita jump out to an early 8-0 lead in the first quarter. A strong push by the Comets in the second quarter, along with a score by Comets Forward Byron Alvarez midway through the fourth, tied the game at 10 each with just minutes to play. In dramatic fashion, Wings Forward Edvin Worley made some late game heroics by scoring with less than 2 minutes remaining. The goal was Worley's first in his MISL career and led to a Wings victory; final score 12-10. In that game, Wichita recorded 4 goals by rookies, including another first time MISL goal by Wings rookie Midfielder Alex Moseley.
In the Central Division standing, Milwaukee sits on top in firm position with a 2.5 game lead over second place Missouri. The Wings are in third place behind Missouri with the teams meeting two more consecutive times. The next two games are crucial to both teams, and could ultimately decide who makes the playoffs in the Central Division.
Missouri's attacking force is led by Geison and Byron Alvarez. Both Comets are in the top four of the MISL total points race, with Geison recording 48 points and Alvarez recording 39 points. Wichita will look for a more balanced attack with goals coming from a multitude of players. Wichita's top two point scorers are Jamar Beasley and Freddy Moojen. Bealsey is tied for fourth in the MISL points race with 39, and Moojen currently sits in sixteenth place with 23 points.
Key match-ups: Sanaldo vs. Waltman Both Goalkeepers have been the rock of the team's defense this season. Sanaldo has been crucial in many of the Wings games this season, helping keep Wichita within reach making save after brilliant save. Sanaldo has a 10.92 goals against average and a .745 save percentage- second in the league. Waltman's goal against average is just behind Sanaldo's at 10.56. Watman has played exceptionally well against Wichita this season, holding the Wings to only 33 points over the first four games of the season.
Keep an eye on: Missouri's stamina The Comets play in Milwaukee against the Wave on Friday night prior to their game against the Wings on Saturday. Milwaukee is known to wear down teams and the combination of traveling and a tough fought Friday night game could bode well for the Wings, coming in with fresh legs.
To keep up with all the latest Wings news, and to purchase your tickets for the January 7th game, visit www.wichitawingsindoorsoccer.com and be sure to follow the team's social media domination on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Gowalla.
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Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from January 5, 2012
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