Milwaukee Wave win 6th MISL Championship
The Wave’s opportunity came after Blast forward Machel Millwood played a ball over the boards while trying to clear from his own end. After taking timeout to set up a play, Marco Terminesi swooped in from the right side to play the ball to Hammes on the left, and his first time, right-footed shot curled into the right corner of the net, sending the crowd of 5,243 into celebration.
The Blast opened on the front foot, taking a 4-0 lead within the first 2 minutes, 44 seconds as first Ptah Myers drilled a rebound off the end boards into the roof of the net and then Millwood stripped a defender and fired between Wave goalkeeper Marcel Feenstra’s legs from the right side. The game was a physical one, with Leite and Pat Healey being sent to the penalty box for coincidental minors after a coming-together in the Blast end, and before those penalties expired Baltimore’s Scott Buete was also sent to the box, giving the Wave a 4-on-3 power play.
The Wave weren’t able to capitalize there, but after Leite and Healey left the box Fabio Ribeiro did cash in on the 5-on-4 advantage, driving Giuliano Oliviero’s restart low into the left corner of the net with 4:02 to play in the quarter. The Wave were then set to get a second power play after Baltimore’s Stephen DeRoux was called for a trip, but after an ensuing scuffle Hammes joined him in the penalty box.
Having received a break from Hammes’ penalty, the Blast scored again early in the second quarter as Warren Ukah’s low cross from the left was met by Ricardinho for a 6-2 lead 1:10 in. Feenstra then made a big save to deny Shaun David to keep the Blast’s lead at four at the halftime break.
The overriding physicality was the theme for the first half, though, with DeRoux picking up his second penalty late in the second. The Wave weren’t able to capitalize on the advantage, which carried over into the third quarter, but they were able to strike soon after the penalty ended as Josh Rife scored from close range from Oliviero’s second assist 1:13 into the third. Oliviero then almost tied the game with just under seven minutes to play, his low shot coming back off the left post, but shortly after Leite made it 6-6 on a volley from close range off Terminesi’s restart.
The Wave then took their first lead of the game with 31 seconds to play in the third through Ian Bennett, whose tight-angle shot into the roof of the net caught out Baltimore goalkeeper Sagu and put Milwaukee 15 minutes from the championship.
But the Blast would rally quickly to regain the lead early in the fourth quarter, Ricardinho scoring his second goal of the night and third goal of the series to tie the game. The Brazilian was then brought down by Milwaukee’s JP Rodrigues in the penalty area, allowing Millwood to score his second from the penalty spot to make it 10-8 with 12:15 to play.
Ricardinho then went from potential hero to villain, taking a penalty that allowed the Wave to tie the game on the ensuing power play with Leite’s fifth goal of the series. Baltimore had the best chance to win the game in regulation, but Adauto Neto’s shot was cleared off the Wave’s goal line with less than two minutes to play, sending the game to overtime, and Hammes’ heroics.
MISL
USL acquired the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) in May, 2011 and began operating North America’s most storied and tradition-rich professional indoor soccer league for the 2011-12 season. The MISL represents the top level of professional indoor soccer in North America and currently consists of seven franchises. The league roster includes franchises in Baltimore, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Norfolk, Rochester, Syracuse and Wichita.
MISL Public Relations - Jay Preble/ Nicholas Murray/ Seth Witkowicz - Tampa, FL - 813.963.3909 - Twitter: @MISLSoccer
Milwaukee Wave
The Milwaukee Wave professional indoor soccer team is the longest-running professional soccer team in the country. The Wave completed their 27th season by winning their fifth Major Indoor Soccer League championship. Their summer camp program is the largest team-operated program in the country. For more information about the Milwaukee Wave, visit milwaukeewave.com or call 414-224-9283.
United Soccer Leagues
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, USL has become the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America by building on the vision, commitment, and passion of players, fans and investors. Now in its third decade of operation, USL continues to be a driving force in the growth of soccer in the United States, Canada and Caribbean. USL provides a clearly defined path for the progression of male and female soccer players beginning at the youth level (Super Y-League/Super-20 League), continuing through the amateur level (PDL/W-League) and up to the professional level, both outdoor and indoor (USL PRO/MISL). A platform for countless players to reach for their dreams each year, USL is devoted to developing the sport at the grassroots level in every community across the region.