KiXX Use Last-Minute Goal To Earn 7-6 Victory Over San Diego

Sunday, March 7, 2004

By David Deal
Philadelphia KiXX Director of Communitions

The Philadelphia KiXX (17-11) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 7-6 victory today over the San Diego Sockers (11-17) in front of 4,113 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum. KiXX midfielder Andy Guastaferro recorded the game-winning goal at 13:40 of the fourth quarter. Stuart Dobson (2-4) earned the victory in net for Philadelphia, turning away 13 of the 19 shots he faced, while Riley Swift (0-2) took the loss between the posts for the Sockers with 13 saves on 20 chances.

KiXX player/coach Don D'Ambra gave the club an early 1-0 lead on a nice feed off the boards from teammate Pat Morris at 2:22 of the opening quarter. San Diego’s Mariano Bollella tied the game, 1-1, with a penalty-kick goal at 3:23, courtesy of a two-minute pushing infraction called on KiXX defender Mauricio Vincello. Paul Dougherty gave the Sockers their first lead of the day, 2-1, connecting with Nino DaSilva at 8:22 of the period. San Diego held the 1-0 advantage after one full quarter of play.

Bollella extended the Sockers’ lead to two, 3-1, with a power-play goal from DaSilva at 3:25 of the second period, after Vincello was called for a two-minute tripping penalty. Bollella then completed the hat trick with his third tally of the game on a dish from midfielder Robbie Aristodemo at 9:40. Morris cut the deficit to two, 4-2, as he blasted a power-play goal from the top of the arc and into the top corner of the net at 12:45 of the quarter; Philadelphia received the power-play opportunity after Mauricio Alegre was called for a two-minute tripping infraction. KiXX captain Kevin Sloan concluded the second-quarter scoring with a pair of goals to knot the game at 4-4 entering the half. The native of Columbia, Maryland notched his first tally at 13:42 on a power play, courtesy of a two-minute hand-ball on DaSilva, then added his second notch just over a minute later (14:50) on an assist from Les Lunsford.

Sloan completed his hat trick at 8:34 of the third quarter to regain the one-point, 5-4, Philadelphia advantage. Bollella responded with his fourth goal of the day at 10:45, but the 5-5 tie did not hold long, as D’Ambra converted his second opportunity of the game on a feed from teammate Goran Vasic at the 11-minute mark of the stanza. The KiXX’ 6-5 advantage held entering the final quarter of play.

With defender Jeremy Aldrich (tripping) and Sloan (dangerous play) each in the box serving a penalty, San Diego’s Aristodemo was able to even the score, 6-6, with a tally from Dougherty at 3:12 of the fourth period. Guastaferro the then took a D’Ambra rebound off the boards and knocked into the back of the net to record the game-winning goal, 7-6 at 13:40 of the quarter.

Notes: Captain Kevin Sloan recorded his second hat trick of the 2003-04 season today, his 24th as a member of the Philadelphia KiXX. Andy Guastaferro registered the game-winning goal, marking his first game winner of his career.

Boxscore:

Attendance: 4,113

Philadelphia: 1-3-2-1=7 Shots: 30
Goalkeepers: Dobson (W, 13 saves).
Scorers: D’Ambra (two goals, two assists), Sloan (three goals), Morris (goal, two assists), Guastaferro (goal), Lunsford (assist), Vasic (assist).

San Diego: 2-2-1-1=6 Shots: 29
Goalkeepers: Swift (L, 13 saves).
Scorers: Bollella (four goals), Aristodemo (goal, assist), DaSilva (two assists), Dougherty (goal, assist), Alegre (assist).

The KiXX return to action on Tuesday, March 9 to welcome the Kansas City Comets to the City of Brotherly Love. The night, dubbed “Chamber Night” offers special discounts and promotions to area chamber members and their families. Game-time at the Wachovia Spectrum is scheduled for 7:05 pm ET. For more information or to purchase tickets for any remaining KiXX home game, contact the club’s Executive Office at 1-888-888-KiXX or visit the team’s official website, www.kixxonline.com.