Soccer Spotlight: KiXX Edge Chicago Storm, 3-2 Club Evens Record, 3-3, on the Season Saturday, December 10, 2005 By David Deal Philadelphia KiXX Director of Communications The Philadelphia KiXX (3-3) edged the visiting Chicago Storm (2-4), 3-2, in front of 4,984 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum. KiXX forward John Barry Nusum recorded the game-winning goal on an assist from goalkeeper Peter Pappas at 10:40 of the third quarter. Pappas (3-3) earned the victory between the posts for Philadelphia, turning away eight of the 10 shots he faced, while Danny Waltman (2-4) took the loss for the Storm with seven saves on 10 chances. Despite outshooting Chicago by a count of 7-2, the KiXX were held scoreless for the second consecutive night, third overall this season, after one full quarter of play. The club’s defense also held Chicago without a goal, closing the period in a scoreless tie. After Chicago’s Denny Clanton was called for a tripping penalty in the box, veteran forward Shawn Boney drilled the free kick into the top left corner of the net, giving the KiXX the first score of the night, 1-0, at the five-minute mark of the second stanza. The Storm’s scoreless first half marked the second occasion this season that Philadelphia has held their opponent without a goal for the opening half; the team also held the California Cougars scoreless in the season opener on November 12. Chicago finally struck onto the board, as Bryon Alvarez found his way through a crowded KiXX defense and knocked in an unassisted tally at 1:45 of the third period. Novi Marojevic gave the Storm their first lead of the night, 2-1, netting a powerful shot on the right wing sent over from teammate Matt Stewart at 7:16. Philadelphia’s Drew Kopp knotted the score, 2-2, connecting on a pass from Goran Vasic at 10:20 of the period; the assist extended Vasic’s point and assist streak to six games. A mere twenty seconds later (10:40), goalkeeper Peter Pappas recorded his first assist of the season by delivering a long ball to KiXX points-leader John Barry Nusum, who then blasted his team-leading sixth goal to give the KiXX a 3-2 advantage. Nusum’s goal also extended his point streak to six games. Both defenses tightened, as the KiXX held on to earn a 3-2 victory and improve to 3-3 on the season. *Notes:* Forwards John Barry Nusum and Goran Vasic have now recorded at least one point in each of the team’s six contests this season. Vasic, a native of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, has also tallied one assist in each of the six games. Goalkeeper Peter Pappas recorded his first assist of the season. Philadelphia finished with a season-low 16 shots on goal. Attendance: 4,984 Philadelphia: 0-1-2-0=3 Shots: 16 Goalkeepers: Pappas (W, eight saves). Scorers: Boney (goal), Kopp (goal), Nusum (goal), Pappas (assist), Vasic (assist). Chicago: 0-0-2-0=2 Shots: 19 Goalkeepers: Waltman (L, seven saves). Scorers: Alvarez (goal), Marojevic (goal), Stewart (assist). Following tonight’s contest, the KiXX enjoy a nice-holiday break, before concluding 2005 with a visit to the 1st Mariner Arena to battle I-95 rival, the Baltimore Blast on December 30.