WAVE DEFEND HOME TURF AGAINST TACOMA STARS; FLORES CONTRIBUTES FIVE POINTS.

By Henry Amini.

MILWAUKEE, WI - The 7-Time Champion Milwaukee Wave dominate in their return to UW-Milwaukee Panther arena.

Final Score: Milwaukee Wave 11, Utica City FC 4.
BOXSCORE | GAMESHEET | REPLAY

Sunday afternoon was the dawn of the Milwaukee Wave’s five game home stretch to end the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) regular season. The Go-Green game was their kickoff to St. Patrick’s Day, showcasing their promotional green jerseys. 

“I thought we were extremely efficient in the 1st half of our chances. We didn't miss many,” Head Coach Marcio Leite said. Alex Steinwasher scored his first goal only 13 seconds into the game, assisted by Oscar Flores. While the Stars responded with a goal of their own, the Milwaukee Wave continued to pour on the pressure, never looking out of control in the game. Men’s Beach Soccer Player of The Year Ricardo Carvalho scored next, granted the assist by Max Ferdinand. Flores would then score two more consecutive goals, assisted by Ian Bennett and Richárd Rábold, respectively, to extend the Milwaukee Wave’s lead to 4-1 through the end of the second quarter. 

“We're just really happy for [Oscar and Richárd]... All the guys respect [Richárd] for how good of a player he is. He brings some maturity, some calmness into his play, because he has experience… It was really lucky for us to get a guy like him, a true professional, and again, I'm happy for him…  [Oscar] has been a joy to coach. Always happy, always with a smile on his face, works extremely hard. Keeps learning something new every day,” Leite said. The Milwaukee Wave were fortunate to have had two newcomers provide such a positive impact on their home win. 

Douglas Lima opened the second quarter scoresheet for the Tacoma Stars but the Milwaukee Wave’s efficiency proved difficult to match. Rábold scored an unassisted goal as his first career MASL goal for the Milwaukee Wave. Steinwasher returned the favor to Flores and assisted his second goal. Shawn Azcueta scored his third goal of this MASL season thanks to the veteran Andre Hayne providing the assist. Franck Tayou notched one more goal for the Stars which proved to be inconsequential for the scope of the game. Lucas Nesthus scored his first career MASL goal, assisted by Hayne, in just his second game with the Milwaukee Wave.

“The mentality of the players was very good and the intensity was fantastic. I think everybody was bought in and we played great as a team,” Liete said. The Milwaukee Wave dominated possession and shooting, outshooting the Stars by nine, and defended with discipline against a young and energetic team. Tayou’s second goal came in the third quarter and marked the last time the Stars would score that game.  

The superstar pairing of Mario “Super Mario” Alvarez and Alex “Saucy” Sanchez connected in the fourth quarter when Alvarez provided the assist. Flores assisted Alex Steinwasher once more to further extend the lead, displaying the Wave’s offensive dynamism within their numerous fluid pairs. The final dagger was placed when Sanchez assisted Alvarez for a strike which closed the books on a 11-4 home win.

The Milwaukee Wave will return home for their Wave to The Past alumni night a week from Sunday.

“I've been with this franchise now, in November, will be 20 years. A lot of guys that I played with, so I’m excited to see them all. I know that the players will actually bring a little extra energy, because every time I played and there was a legend watching me, I wanted to show how good I was, and I'm hoping the players will do the same thing next game and really show how good they are that they belong. The Wave, it's a huge franchise. 
So this way, the new guys are actually showing the veterans and the legends that they're good and they belong to play here. We’re excited to see everybody,” Leite said. His words encompass the environment possessed by the Milwaukee Waves illustrious and historic franchise. 

The Milwaukee Wave will face the Empire Strykers at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Sunday, March 15 at 2:05pm CST. ###