Sunday, March 11, 2012
MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – The Milwaukee Wave clinched victory in the MISL Central Division Finals with a 9-7 win against the Missouri Comets on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Arena, bringing them one step closer to their goal of a second consecutive MISL Championship. Marco Terminesi scored twice, giving him four goals for the series, including the game-winning goal in Game 2, his header with 17 seconds to play in the third quarter being made to stand up by the Wave's defense in the final 15 minutes.
After a tight opening to the game, Terminesi opened the scoring with 2:43 to play in the first quarter, netting a goal from the center from an assist by Jonatan Santos. But the Comets’ Cristiano evened the game with a goal off a restart, with 16 seconds to play in the quarter to leave the game tied after 15 minutes.
Joe Hammes gave the Wave the lead once again on a 3-point goal from the top of the arc with 5:55 to play in the second quarter, only to have the Comets’ Byron Alvarez blast a 3-point goal of his own before the end of the half, leaving the game tied 5-5 at the break.
The Comets then took their first lead of the game 18 seconds into the second half, again taking advantage of a restart as Leo Gibson volleyed home to make it 7-5. But the the Wave’s Ian Bennett tied the game midway through the quarter and the Wave didn’t look back. Terminesi scored his second goal of the game by heading in a rebound giving the Wave a 9-7 lead.
After not making a save in the first half, his teammates blocking nine shots before the break, Wave goalkeeper Marcel Feenstra came up big in the fourth quarter. Aided by 20 blocked shots, Feenstra finished with 10 saves on the night to lead his side back to the MISL Championship Series.
The Wave will have to wait until Monday evening to find out who they will be playing in the MISL Championship Series as the Baltimore Blast and Rochester Lancers play on Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. Baltimore holds the advantage in the series, taking Game 1 by a score of 8-2 on Saturday night.
Tickets for the Wave's game of the MISL Championship Series will be available on Tuesday morning by calling the Wave office at (414) 224-9283.