MILWAUKEE WAVE DOMINATE SOCKERS AT HOME; STEINWASHERS TAKE THE LEAD IN BATTLE OF THE GIANTS.

By Henry Amini.

MILWAUKEE, WI - The 7-Time Champion Milwaukee Wave toppled the San Diego Sockers to start their back to back weekend at home. 

FINAL SCORE: Milwaukee Wave 10 San Diego Sockers 5.
BOXSCORE | GAMESHEET | REPLAY

The Milwaukee Wave met the legendary San Diego Sockers at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Saturday for what turned out to be a statement home win for the Wave. The Milwaukee Wave close their season series with the Sockers with a  perfect two wins; one at home and one away. This pushes the wave to second place just two points behind the leading Kansas City Comets with four games in hand, as they prepare to face them on Sunday, December 18. 

“Tonight, we were very sharp over the chances that we had. It's a battle against San Diego, and the game is won in little details,” Head Coach Marcio Leite said. His first professional coaching win came in the Milwaukee Wave season opener on the road against the Sockers, it was much of the same on Saturday when the Wave defeated the Sockers 10-4 in front of an exhilarated home crowd. 

The game opened with Max Ludwig’s roaring full volley directly from Andre Hayne’s cross. Alex Steinwasher would score soon after on a goal which was recorded as unassisted, though it was ultimately created by his brother Javier Steinwasher’s pass off of the boards. Jesus Pacheco responded in the first quarter with a solo goal and the score was 2-1 entering the second quarter. 

“I know what [Javier] is gonna do and he knows what I'm gonna do…  Sometimes I hate him, sometimes I love him, but at the end of the day, he's still my brother,” Alex said. The pair have found a rhythm that poses serious problems for their opponents on both sides of the ball. 

Andrew Estrella tied the game for the Sockers and Drew Ruggles struck the ball that was responsible for the San Diego Sockers’ first and only lead of the game. Derek Huffman finished a service from Alex Steinwasher and the wave found themselves tied heading into the half-time break. 

“It was my first home game of the year. I was super excited to get out here… Just so happy to get my first goals of the year,” Huffman said. He brought a spark to the wave in his return home scoring two goals. 

At the start of the second half, Stuart Grable netted his first goal of the season pushing the Wave ahead. The Milwaukee Wave extended their lead when Alex Steinwasher sent the ball forward to Alex Sanchez who found Hayne for a scorching volley finish. Mario Alvarez was connected to the next two goals with a goal of his own and an assist to Huffman who took the volley over his shoulder for what was a serious MASL Goal of the Week candidate. 

“I think we were very good in transition with our current attacks, and we were very precise,” Leite said, alluding to the success his side has found adapting to the pace of indoor play in a condensed league. 

The Milwaukee Wave would finish the game with a scorching ten goals with Oscar Flores, Cesar Correa, and Alex Sanchez contributing in the fourth quarter, only interrupted by Pacheco’s goal scored while the Sockers employed their 6th attacker. 

“We definitely want to create a fortress in these games with our fans, right? So it doesn't matter if it's Kansas, if it's any other team, every time we play on this field, we're going for the win,” Leite said. The Milwaukee Wave didn’t just win, they did so in style. They look to defend their unbeaten home streak against the Kansas City Comets as the second part of their back to back weekend. 

The Milwaukee Wave face rival Kansas City Comets at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Sunday, December 18 at 2:05pm CST.