KiXX Perfect Versus San Diego, Record 5-0 Victory

Saturday, January 17, 2004

By David Deal
Philadelphia KiXX Director of Communitions

The Philadelphia KiXX (11-6) defeated the San Diego Sockers (9-10), 5-0, tonight in front of 4,238 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum. The shutout marked the only the third time in franchise history the club has held an opponent scoreless. KiXX player/coach Don D’Ambra recorded the game winner at 4:49 of the second quarter. Goalkeeper Peter Pappas (10-5) earned the victory in net for Philadelphia, perfect (16-16) between the posts for Philadelphia, while Victor Noguiera dropped to 9-10 with the loss for the Sockers.

The first quarter proved to be a heavily defensive standoff, resulting in a scoreless first full period of action. San Diego held a slight advantage on the offensive end of the floor, attempting seven shots to only five from the KiXX.

Philadelphia struck the scoreboard first, as D’Ambra converted a long feed from Goran Vasic to give the club the 1-0 advantage at 4:49 of the second quarter. Philadelphia took the 1-0 lead into the half.

D’Ambra once again connected with Vasic, depositing a rebound off Noguiera into the top of net to give the KiXX a 2-0 lead heading into the final quarter of action. The third-quarter goal snapped the team’s three-game scoreless streak in the third period; over that span, the KiXX have been outscored 9-0 in the third stanza of play.

D’Ambra scorched a shot just inside the far post past Noguiera to register his third tally of the contest, completing the hat trick. KiXX forward Joel Shanker recorded the assist on the play at 3:58 of the fourth period. Matt Brook lengthened Philadelphia’s lead to four, 4-0, connecting on a dish from newcomer Andy Guastaferro at 5:18. Mauricio Vincello sealed the 5-0 shutout victory with an unassisted empty net goal at 13:58.

Notes: Philadelphia recorded the first shutout of the season in the MISL and the third in all-time franchise history; previous two shutouts occurred versus the Florida Thundercats, one home and one away (3/27/99 vs. Thundercats, Pappas/Englehardt – 30 minutes each and 4/2/00 at Florida, Pappas played all 60 minutes. Recently signed Byron Carmichael made his indoor professional debut with the KiXX tonight. KiXX defender Drew Kopp posted his 100th career block tonight.

Boxscore:

Attendance: 4,238

Philadelphia: 1-1-1-2=5 Shots: 22
Goalkeepers: Pappas (W, 16 saves).
Scorers: D’Ambra (three goals); Vasic (two assists); Matt Brooks (goal); Mauricio Vincello (goal); Andy Guastaferro (assist); Joel Shanker (assist).

San Diego: 0-0-0-0=0 Shots: 27
Goalkeepers: Noguiera (L, six saves).
Scorers:

Philadelphia concludes their three-game homestand by welcoming the Monterrey Fury to the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday, January 24. The club has partnered with the nationally acclaimed architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning firm EwingCole to present SocceRoo, the team’s mascot, as the bobblehead giveaway for the 2003-04 campaign. The doll will be distributed to the first 3,000 fans, 14 and under, and all season ticket holders that enter the gates on January 24. Game-time slated for 7:05 pm ET with the doors scheduled to open at 6:00 pm ET. For more information or to purchase tickets for any remaining KiXX home contest, contact the club’s Executive Office at 1-888-888-KiXX (5499) or log onto the team’s official website, www.kixxonline.com.

Photos by Gregg Williams