 |
 |
| |
|
|
Soccer Spotlight:
Sunday, February 20, 2005
By David Deal The Philadelphia KiXX (16-11) dropped their third consecutive decision with today’s 8-2 loss to the Cleveland Force (11-12) in front of 4,406 fans at the Wolstein Convocation Center. The three-game dip marks the second time this season the club has dropped three consecutive games; Philadelphia’s 6-3 loss to the Force on November 26 began a four-game losing streak that concluded with the team’s 9-5 victory versus the Chicago Storm on December 12. The loss also drops the KiXX into a two-way tie with the Milwaukee Wave, who defeated the Chicago Storm earlier today to improve to 16-11. Defender Genoni Martinez registered the game-winning goal on a feed from former KiXX forward Chris Handsor at 4:09 of the second quarter. Stuart Dobson (2-2) took the loss in net for Philadelphia with 15 saves on 23 chances, while Jim Larkin (9-10) earned the victory in net for the Force, turning away 12 of the 14 shots he faced. Cleveland’s Ryan Hall opened the game’s scoring with a restart goal, the first score of his indoor career, on a pass from Martinez at 6:32 of the first quarter. The KiXX responded to knot the game, 1-1, as newcomer Daniel Antoniuk found the back of a net on a pass off the boards from Philadelphia native Pat Morris at 14:53. The tally, the first for Antoniuk in a KiXX uniform, snapped Philadelphia’s scoreless streak of 119 minutes, dating back to the second quarter of the club’s School Day match versus the Milwaukee Wave on February 16. The Force kicked-off the second period with three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead less than five minutes into the quarter. John Ball started the scoring barrage on a dish from midfielder Robbie Aristodemo just 57 seconds into the stanza, followed by a Martinez score on a pass from Handsor at 4:09. A mere 30 seconds later (4:39), Kyt Selaidopoulos concluded the offensive assault with a blast just under the cross bar off the second assist for Handsor. Philadelphia defender Jeremy Aldrich finally ended the team’s scoring drought with his first goal of the season off the cross from player/coach Don D’Ambra at 5:02. Handsor notched his third point of the day, a goal on a feed from Martinez at 7:50, to conclude the half with Cleveland leading by three, 5-2. Cleveland continued to roll in the second half, as defender Matt Johnson recorded the only goal of the third quarter (1:50) to extend the club’s advantage to four, 6-2, on Martinez’s third assist of the contest. Aaron Susi and Ball concluded the game’s scoring, each with a notch to give Cleveland an 8-2 victory. Susi connected first on a feed from Ball at 11:06 of the fourth quarter, followed by Ball’s second score of the day on a dish from Handsor at 13:53. Notes: Philadelphia snapped their scoreless streak at 119 minutes, dating back to the club’s School Day match versus the Milwaukee Wave on February 16. Forward Daniel Antoniuk’s score in the first quarter marked his first goal as a member of the KiXX. Defender Jeremy Aldrich registered his first point of the season with a second-quarter goal off the cross from player/coach Don D’Ambra. Boxscore: Attendance: 4,406 Philadelphia: 1-1-0-0=2 Shots: 25 Cleveland: 1-4-1-2=8 Shots: 39 The KiXX embark on another set of back-to-back games next weekend, kicking-off on Friday, February 25 when the club travels to the Windy City to battle the Chicago Storm. Game-time at the UIC Pavilion is scheduled for 8:05 pm ET. The club then returns to the Wachovia Spectrum to conclude the series versus the Cleveland Force on Saturday, February 26. The first 2,500 fans under 14 will receive a complimentary MISL replica mini ball, courtesy of Kohl’s Cares for Kids. Game-time is slated for 7:05 pm ET, with the doors opening at 6:00 pm ET. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please contact the club’s Executive Office at 1-888-888-KiXX (5499) or visit www.kixxonline.com. |
 |