WAVE DEFEAT SEAWOVLES IN GAME ONE OF DOUBLEHEADER

A capacity crowd witnessed something that had been sorely lacking in Wave home games this season, a fast start. A mere 1:06 into the game, Ian Bennett scored his first of 6 goals on the evening (12 total between the last two home games), assisted by Marcio Leite. Bennett would also notch an assist by aiding the second goal of the game, scored by Derek Huffman, halfway through the first period. Bennett would score again in the first period assisted again by Leite to make it 3-0 Wave. Andre Hayne closed out the first period with a special head-butt goal, assisted by Angel Curiel, which gave the Wave a 4-0 lead at the end of the first. Orlando did get on the board early in the second period, but not through defensive lapses, but rather a lucky bounce that managed to get just beyond goalie Rafa Dias’ reach. The Wave would score two more goals in the second period, both unassisted, one by Bennett and one by Isaac Pereyra, to go up 6-1 at halftime.

After a scoreless third period, the SeaWolves would score next goal off a power play just 25 seconds into the fourth period. The Wave responded with goals by Bennett and Pereyra, assisted by Max Ferdinand and Andrew Wiedabach respectively. The assist by Ferdinand was one of two on the evening for him and extended his point streak to 20 games! Orlando would score one final time with 9:41 left in the fourth to the make it an 8-3 game. The Wave answered with a goal by Guilherme Veiga (assisted by Luan Oliveira) and two more goals by Bennett, assisted by Ferdinand and Stuart Grable to close out a decisive win.

Wave goalie Rafa Dias was dominant, stopping 16 of 19 shots for a .786 save percentage. Only two shots really got past Rafa tonight, which he attributed to his vast soccer experience both outdoor and futsal (indoor soccer), but said “it’s definitely tough on the goalie as we try watch where the ball bounces, especially with the walls, but I have gotten used to it.” Rafa also gave credit to his defense which really stepped up their game tonight.

Coach Giuliano Oliviero was proud of the team’s bounce back performance after back-to-back road losses, “I don’t think our confidence ever truly wavered, even though Orlando’s had a tough year we were never going to take them lightly.” Coach Oliviero also emphasized, “We showed up to play right from the start, which has been a struggle for us all year.”

Final Score: Milwaukee Wave 11, Orlando SeaWolves 3.
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The Wave remain at home for their second to last regular season home game in a rematch with the SeaWolves, Sunday March 8 with 1:07 pm first kick. It will be our Girl Power game, celebrating all female soccer players and their outstanding accomplishments! Plus our Sunday Funday, where you can enjoy $3 beer, pretzels & popcorn!

For tickets and more information visit MilwaukeeWave.com