Wichita Wings News Release -- www.wichitawingsindoorsoccer.com
Friday, November 25, 2011
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Wings won the first game of the club’s new era on Friday night in style, defeating the Norfolk SharX 16-11 as Carlos Farias had a six-point night and Jamar Beasley scored twice at Hartman Arena in front of a crowd of 3,500 fans.
Norfolk forward Marcello Alves drew first blood, scoring just one minute, 24 seconds into the game, but Wings midfielder Bryan Perez got his side back on level terms quickly, scoring within 40 seconds to make the score 2-2.
The Wings didn’t stop there, adding consecutive goals by Farias, who struck from 3-point range, and Alargie Jobe to put the Wings up 7-2 at the end of the first quarter. That score stood until halftime, with neither side able to find the back of the net in the second quarter.
In terms of scoring, the third quarter looked nothing like the second. Wichita scored two early goals in succession; defender Kevin Ten Eyck made a sliding score before colliding into the boards, getting one past SharX Goalkeeper Jamie Lieberman, and that was followed by a quick Beasley 3-pointer to put the Wings up 12-2.
But the SharX were able to hit back, Miguel Ferrer pulling a goal back before Brady Bryant scored a 3-pointer during a Norfolk power play to cut the Wings lead to 12-7. But, as with Perez’s first-quarter goal, the Wings were able to strike back quickly, Beasley scoring his second of the evening, with younger brother and U.S. Men's National Team member DaMarcus Beasley in attendance, to put the Wings in a 14-7 lead going to the fourth quarter.
The Wings then bolstered that advantage 3:10 into the fourth as defender Brian Cushing found the back of the net on Farias’ third assist of the game to make it 16-7. Farias moved into double-digits for the season on Friday night, now sitting with 15 points in five games, while Beasley’s five-point game moved him into third in the league with 19 points.
Norfolk responded with two goals by Matt Delicate and Marcello Alves to draw the SharX within five points, but the late surge didn’t overly threaten the Wings as they walked away with the win.
“You couldn’t ask for a better night then tonight,” Wings coach LeBaron Hollimon said. “You have to give all the credit in the world to Norfolk, they played a great game and kept us on our feet until the very end. Both of these teams played physical hard games tonight, and we’re honored to come out with the win.”
The Wings return to action on Sunday, playing on the road against the Milwaukee Wave. That game kicks off at 3 p.m. (CT), and can be caught on Wichita’s KGSO 1410 AM. To keep up with all the latest Wings news, visit www.wichitawingsindoorsoccer.com and be sure to follow the team’s social media domination on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Gowalla.