MILWAUKEE WAVE LOSE TO AMBUSH; LONG WEEKEND ENDS WITH HOME STRETCH ON THE HORIZON.

By Henry Amini. 

The 7-Time Champion Milwaukee Wave dropped their second game of a back to back weekend against Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) shield contenders, the St. Louis Ambush. 

FINAL SCORE: Milwaukee Wave 6, St. Louis Ambush 7.
BOXSCORE | GAMESHEET | REPLAY

Saturday night’s game in Milwaukee was charged with the competition for first place in the MASL standings. 

The Milwaukee Wave began the game in control. They employed an aggressive approach, playing Rookie goalkeeper Gerardo “Jerry” Perez as an attacking style goalkeeper, they dominated control of possession with six players attacking throughout most of the game. 

Alex “Saucy” Sanchez scored first for the Wave, striking a one touch half-volley into the back corner. Daniel Torrealba responded with an equalizing goal of his own before the first quarter came to a close at a 1-1 tie. 

“I thought the team played well for the most part, had the game in control, was creating a lot of chances,” Head Coach Marcio Leite said. The Wave extended their lead in what was a relatively positive first half display. Sanchez scored again, finding the top corner of the net with his left foot, before Ian Bennett assisted Oscar Flores in Bennett’s return from injury. Andres Chalbaud would keep the game close and score once more for the Ambush before the first half was complete. 

The third quarter was a treat for indoor soccer fans and James Thomas would tie the game again for the Ambush at 3-3 within the first minute of play. Perez generated the first significant shift of momentum for the Wave in scoring a goal as an advanced goalkeeper, before doing it again less than four minutes later. This amounted to Perez’s seventh career MASL goal, and his first at home which brought the fans inside UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena to a roar, chanting the 21 year old’s name. With a 5-3 lead, the Wave conceded once more, Ozzy Santana scoring for the Ambush, before Flores scored again, assisted by Sanchez. Before the end of the period, Perez would leave the game with an injury and Leite would no longer employ an attacking style goalkeeper.

“We had a very poor start of the fourth quarter,” Leite said. The Wave conceded again within 30 seconds of the final period kicking off and Torrealba was the goalscorer of two successive points. With the game tied at 6-6, the energy was shifted in favor of the Ambush and Christian Briggs scored the go-ahead power play goal. The Wave would not score again and the game ended 6-7. 

Despite a brief stretch of undesirable results, the Milwaukee Wave will be relieved to be at home for the majority of their remaining schedule. After a one-off road game against Utica City FC, the Wave will play five straight games at home to end the regular season. 

The Milwaukee Wave will face Utica City FC at Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York on Sunday, March 1 at 3:00pm CST. 

The Wave will be back at home to host the Tacoma Stars at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday, March 8 at 2:05pm CST. ###