FIRST QUARTER STRUGGLES, MILWAUKEE WAVE FALL TO BALTIMORE BLAST ON THE ROAD.

By Henry Amini

The 7-Time champion Milwaukee Wave faced a five goal deficit in the first quarter, limiting comeback chances despite a determined performance.

Final Score: Milwaukee Wave 7 Baltimore Blast 10.
BOXSCORE | GAMESHEET | REPLAY

The Milwaukee Wave visited TU Arena in Baltimore, Maryland for the first time on Saturday, December 27 in their first game of two within a 24 hour window. Through the first quarter, the Wave struggled conceding five unanswered goals, the first two were scored by Jonatas Melo who went on to score four goals in a standout performance.

“The hole we got ourselves in in the first quarter was too deep,” Said Head Coach Marcio Leite. The Milwaukee Wave didn’t score their first goal until late in the first quarter when Alex Steinwasher scored a goal on Andre Hayne’s assist. The Baltimore Blast responded shortly thereafter, re-extending the deficit to 1-6 when Chad Poarch scored a set piece goal with less than 30 seconds to play in the quarter.

The second quarter played on without a goal for twelve minutes before Chad Poarch scored his second goal. The floodgates then opened for both sides and Andre Hayne scored his first goal of the game followed by Mario Alvarez’s unassisted goal directly from a restart.

“We have a lot of young guys getting playing time and being put into these situations to learn and grow,” Said Leite. In the absence of two time MASL MVP winner, Ian Bennett, and prolific veteran stars, Derek Huffman and Ricardo Carvalho, five rookies played significant minutes for the Milwaukee Wave.

With the deficit now sitting at just 3-7, the Milwaukee Wave was reignited with hope and they struck first in the second half. Max Ludwig scored a goal less than one minute into the half and soon the game turned into a battle, both physically and tactically. Following a brief scuffle, Tanner Hodgson received a blue card. Jonatas Melo was also given a blue card for pushing, following Leite’s second successful challenge of the match. No goals were scored in the two minute period.

The Baltimore Blast scored one more goal in the third quarter which was answered by Alex Steinwasher’s second goal of the game, assisted by Andre Hayne who had a positive performance despite Milwaukee’s loss. The Milwaukee Wave won the second and third quarter 4-2 and outshot the Blast by six in that time.

“The game here needs to be played in a different way,” Said Leite, explaining the unique strategies necessary to employ when playing at TU Arena. Playing on a significantly smaller field, the Milwaukee Wave needed to adapt to the unique style of play. After the first quarter, they seemed to be on track to complete a miraculous comeback.

Andre Hayne scored a goal in the fourth quarter wrapping up his four point night and shrinking the difference between the two sides to just two goals. Echoing recent performances, rookie goalkeeper, Jerry Perez, played the fourth quarter as the Wave’s attacking style goalkeeper. Perez made seven saves and scored the goal which brought the game within one goal.

“I’m super proud of the guy's heart, passion, pride to come back. At one point the game was 7-8,” Said Leite. This Milwaukee Wave side showed determination, fighting back into the game. Momentum seemed to be in Milwaukee’s favor when the ball was stolen and Melo scored an empty net goal. With time winding down, Alex Sanchez committed a tactical transition foul and found himself with a two minute penalty. Sanchez would return to the game with only 36 seconds to play, after Melo scored a power play goal

“They're leaving the field today with lessons that they learned.” While not happy with the result, Leite is recognizing this game as a learning opportunity for a Milwaukee Wave team composed of both young stars and veteran presence.

The Milwaukee Wave face Utica City FC at Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York on Sunday, December 28, 2:00pm CST

Watch the game LIVE! on the following platforms including MASL+, MASLtv on YouTube, National Soccer Network, Victory+, Sportsworld and Unbeaten Network. ###