MILWAUKEE WAVE DROP FIRST GAME AT ONTARIO; DOWN BUT NOT OUT.

By Henry Amini. 

ONTARIO, CA - The 7-Time Champion Milwaukee Wave lost game one of their first round playoff series with the Empire Strykers and are set to host a definitive closeout match on Monday. 

Final Score: Milwaukee Wave 3, Empire Strykers 6.
BOXSCORE | GAMESHEET | REPLAY

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) Playoffs kicked off on Sunday with the cross-country battle between the Wave and Strykers. 

The Strykers took claim of an early lead in the first quarter and Robert Palmer, the team’s player-coach for the postseason, scored first on the breakaway finish. The goal was followed shortly after by Barbaro Shelier. The Milwaukee Wave took to resurging their energy and managed to put the Strykers on their heels for some time, notably a strike from Oscar Flores hit the post on what looked to be the Wave’s most dangerous opportunity following the two goal deficit. 

Marco Fabian found himself in the penalty box with under three minutes to play in the first quarter following a reckless challenge that earned himself a five minute yellow card and his team a blue card penalty. With the Milwaukee Wave on the offensive of their second power play in the period, the two time league MVP Ian Bennett finished using his left foot to end the power play in its early stages. Then Alex Steinwasher found himself in a transition opportunity and Cam Will was on the receiving end of the assist, marking his second career MASL goal and his first in the playoffs. 

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first and the Strykers again scored twice early into the period thanks to Justin Stinson and Dayerson Graterol.  

“I think as a team and individually, we can play a lot better. We do need some players to play more in a playoff mentality,” Leite said, echoing the high standards he’s consistently held in his time as the Milwaukee Wave’s head coach. “Take more responsibility, make more plays, and at the end of the day, defend harder and score goals.”

When Carvalho received a tripping penalty and the Milwaukee Wave were defending a power play, it appeared to be a significant moment in favor of the Strykers. The defensive acumen of Javier Steinwasher proved significant, however; and he sparked a transition which led to his brother Alex Steinwasher’s shorthanded goal. 

The final period saw the Milwaukee Wave with the very tangible hurdle of a 3-4 deficit and the momentum of scoring most recently. The Stryker’s defense was firm and it saw Leite employ Gerardo “Jerry” Perez as the sixth attacker following more than nine minutes without a goal. 

Amongst a chaotic chain of events, the Strykers would score two goals against the Wave’s sixth attacker and Milwaukee dropped the first game 3-6.

“The team that is going to give up the least goals is going to win it,” Leite said on Sunday and he provided an important perspective when discussing the topic after Thursday night’s game. 

“I don't think we are getting beat individually,” Leite said, recognizing that the ability of his players in defensive situations isn’t to blame. “I think that it's not a matter of matchup that a player is beating us because we have another defender. I think it's a matter of attitude.” The risk seeking approach of the Milwaukee Wave’s playstyle can at times leave them vulnerable to allowing open chances for their opponents when the timing isn’t right; a mentality that needs to be ramped up in the playoffs to match its pace. 

It’s the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs and there’s no time to dwell in defeat as the series defining second game is on Monday. 

The Milwaukee Wave will host the Strykers at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday, April 6 at 6:35pm CST for the closeout game of their first round of playoffs.

Tickets for their home game can be purchased through Ticket Master via the Milwaukee Wave Website or at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena box-office on game day ###.