KiXX Edge Past Monterrey, 5-4

Thursday, January 29, 2004

By David Deal
Philadelphia KiXX Director of Communitions

The Philadelphia KiXX (12-8) snapped a two-game losing streak tonight, defeating the hosting Monterrey Fury 5-4 in front of 7,112 fans at the Monterrey Arena. The meeting marked the club’s first trip to Monterrey, Mexico in franchise history. Player/Coach Don D’Ambra led the club with a pair of goals, including the game winner at 9:56 of the third quarter. Peter Pappas (11-6) earned the victory in net for Philadelphia, turning away 14 of the 18 shots he faced, while Hector Mireles (5-15) took the loss for the Fury, stopping 12 of 17 chances.

KiXX forward Matt Brooks recorded the only goal of the first half, a tally at 7:46 of the first quarter on a feed from teammate Pat Morris. His tally provided Philadelphia a 1-0 advantage after two full periods of play.

The two teams bolted out of the gate sin the third stanza, combining for three goals in less than a minute and one half of play (2:05 to 3:28); defender Mauricio Vincello started the scoring spree on a Brooks’ assist at 2:05. Monterrey’s Genoni Martinez then ended the Fury drought, striking the board at 2:51, but Vincello retained the two-point lead for the KiXX with his second goal of the night at 3:28. Les Lunsford registered the assist on the play. D’Ambra gave the club its largest lead of the evening, 4-1, at 7:52 of the period on a dish from newcomer Andy Guastaferro. Fury forward Victor Quiroz connected with teammate Gaston Pernia to cut the deficit to two, 4-2, but D’Ambra quickly countered with his second notch of the contest, also from Guastaferro, at 9:56. Philadelphia’s three-point advantage, 5-2, held entering the final period of play.

Martinez and Octavio Perez each recorded a goal in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia’s defense buckled down to earn a 5-4 victory in Monterrey tonight. Martinez first registered an unassisted power-play goal at 3:51, courtesy of two-minute tripping penalty called on Vincello, while Perez recorded the final notch of the evening with less than a minute remaining (14:06).

Notes: Vincello’s two-goal performance marks his most productive offensive output of his career. D’Ambra continues his hot streak with a pair of tallies versus the Fury; the player/coach has now accounted for nine of the club’s 16 total goals in their last four games. The two teams will square-off for the last time in regular-season play on March 14 in Monterrey. Game-time is scheduled for 7:35 pm ET.

Boxscore:

Attendance: 7,112

Philadelphia: 1-0-4-0=5 Shots: 27
Goalkeepers: Pappas (W, 14 saves).
Scorers: --D’Ambra (two goals), Vincello (two goals), Brooks (goal, assist), Guastaferro (two assists), Lunsford (assist), Morris (assist).

Monterrey: 0-0-2-2=4 Shots: 45
Goalkeepers: Mireles (L, 12 saves).
Scorers: Martinez (two goals, assist), Perez (goal), Quiroz (goal), Lopez (assist), Pernia (assist).

Following tonight’s contest, the team continues their three-game road trip with visit to Cleveland to battle Eastern Division foe, the Cleveland Force at the Convocation Center at CSU on Saturday, January 31. The contest is slated to kick-off at 7:05 pm ET and can be heard live via webcast, www.pennlive.com/wmss.

The club finally returns to the Wachovia Spectrum on February 7, to entertain the defending Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Champion Baltimore Blast. The night, dubbed “Christian Night,” includes post-game testimonials from various professional athletes and a live concert featuring national recording artist, KJ-52. 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).