Soccer Spotlight: Philadelphia Falls to the Sockers, 6-3 KiXX Conclude Weekend with a Visit to St. Louis on Sunday, December 5 Friday, December 3, 2004 By David Deal Philadelphia KiXX Director of Communitions The Philadelphia KiXX (5-3) dropped a 6-3 decision to the San Diego Sockers (4-5) in front of 3,485 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum tonight. San Diego’s Herculez Gomez registered the game winner at 10:30 of the second quarter. Peter Pappas (3-2) took the loss, turning away eight of the 13 shots he faced, while Victor Nogueira (3-4) earned the victory with nine saves on 12 chances for the Sockers. San Diego opened the scoring with a power-play goal from Braeden Cloutier on a dish from teammate Paul Wright at 4:13 of the first quarter; the Sockers received the one-man advantage after Pappas was called for a two-minute tripping penalty at 3:12. Just over a minute later (5:44), newcomer Damien Pottinger tied the score, 1-1, on an assist from player/assistant coach Kevin Sloan. Sockers’ midfielder Ryan Mack put San Diego back ahead one, 2-1, with an unassisted tally at 7:50 of the period. With KiXX forward Goran Vasic in the penalty box serving a two-minute tripping infraction (received at 14:44 of the first period), Paul Wright extended San Diego’s advantage to two, 3-1, with an unassisted score at 1:08 of the second stanza. Herculez Gomez lengthened San Diego’s lead, 4-1, with a goal from forward Steve Butcher at 10:30. Philadelphia player/coach Don D’Ambra cut the club’s deficit to two, 4-2, with a restart goal from Vasic at 14:23 of the quarter. The 3-2 San Diego advantage held entering the half. After nearly 12 minutes of scoreless action in the third period, Wright connected on his second tally of the contest to further extend San Diego’s lead, 5-2. Philadelphia native Dan Antoniuk recorded the assist on the play, as the KiXX entered the final period of play, trailing by three, 5-2. Forward Mark Ughy gave San Diego a four-goal advantage, 6-2, with a score from Cloutier at 7:38 of the fourth quarter. Sockers’ defender Nevio Pizzolitto was called for a two-minute tripping infraction inside the goalkeeper’s box, giving Philadelphia a penalty-kick opportunity. KiXX forward Shawn Boney converted to pull the team within three, 6-3, at 7:59, but San Diego held on to earn the victory. Notes: Philadelphia’s penalty-killing unit entered tonight’s contest ranked first in the League, turning away all five of the man-down opportunities they faced this season; the Sockers converted on their two power-play opportunities this evening. Boxscore: Attendance: 3,485 Philadelphia: 1-1-0-1=3 Shots: 21 Goalkeepers: Pappas (L, eight saves). Scorers: Boney (goal), D’Ambra (goal), Pottinger (goal), Sloan (assist), Vasic (assist). San Diego: 2-2-1-1=6 Shots: 17 Goalkeepers: Nogueira (W, nine saves) Scorers: Wright (two goals, assist), Cloutier (goal, assist), Antoniuk (assist), Butcher (assist), Gomez (goal), Mack (goal), Ughy (goal). Following tonight’s contest, the KiXX will travel to the Savvis Center to battle the St. Louis Steamers on Sunday, December 5. Game-time is slated for 7:05 pm. The team then returns home for a back-to-back battle versus the Cleveland Force and the Chicago Storm. The KiXX will first entertain the Force on Saturday, December 11 then welcome Chicago on Sunday, December 12. Saturday’s contest will kick-off at 7:05 pm, while Sunday’s game is scheduled for a 1:05 pm start time Dance Team Calendar.