Defense Leads Wave Past Chicago Storm

(Editor's note: I know that there is not a single reader here that likes when I post about soccer, but please humor me when I post the releases I also write for the Wave. But if there are soccer readers here at TBC, please speak up and let's band together! Plus, I had to update the site with something, you know?)

Milwaukee Wave coach Keith Tozer wasn’t sure which of his goalkeepers he wanted to start against the Chicago Storm on Sunday until a few hours before the match. But after a 6-2 victory, it was clear Tozer’s decision to start Nick Vorberg turned out to be correct.

“(Nick) made some huge saves for us to keep us in this game,” Tozer said. “In indoor soccer, to give up only one goal? That’s big.” The Wave (6-3) kept pace with the Detroit Ignition (5-2) atop the XSL standings. Chicago fell to 2-6 with its fifth consecutive loss.

Chicago’s goalkeeper, Jeff Richey, was nearly just as impressive as Vorberg. Richey was able to withstand multiple scoring chances from the Wave before Giuliano Oliviero finally chipped a shot past him 10 minutes into the first quarter to give the Wave a 2-0 lead. Chicago wasn’t able to answer until the 2:51 mark in the second quarter, when Vladimir Knezevic broke Vorberg’s shutout bid on a breakaway. It would be the Storm’s only goal of the match.

With 10:25 to play in the third period, Jacek Przednowek found Marcelo Fontana, who then delivered the goal that turned out to be the game-winner. From there, Vorberg kept the Chicago attack at bay with 12 saves, including one on a point-blank shot from Ian Bennett midway through the fourth quarter.

Chico then added his second goal in as many games with two minutes remaining to seal the victory for Milwaukee. Despite only mustering three goals, it proved to be enough to beat a Chicago team that hadn’t played in three weeks.

“We knew (Chicago) had been doing a lot of training, and we knew they’d be a fit team. We also knew they’d be hungry,” Tozer added. “This is a big win for us.”

Next up for the Wave is a home-and-home series against the Detroit Ignition. On Sunday, Feb. 8, they will travel to Detroit for a 3:35 p.m. matchup. The Ignition will then come to Milwaukee on Feb. 15. Milwaukee Wave legend Michael King will have his jersey retired in a ceremony prior to the 2 p.m. kickoff.

The first 3,500 fans to attend the Feb. 15 game will receive a commemorative Michael King T-shirt courtesy of Aurora Quickcare. Tickets to the Feb. 15 game are available at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by calling the Wave office at 414-224-9283.