WAVE EDGE AMBUSH, REMAIN ATOP MISL

The Milwaukee Wave overcame an inspired defensive performance by the St. Louis Ambush on Friday to secure a 13-11 road victory at Family Arena.

Milwaukee (7-1) won its third consecutive game and kept a one-game lead over Baltimore in the Major Indoor Soccer League standings. Boxscore

Marcio Leite scored the eventual game-winner with 2:11 remaining before the Ambush (3-6) got to within two points with 35.5 seconds remaining on a sixth-attacker goal.

Pablo led Milwaukee's scoring with two 2-pointers and a 3-pointer.

“He's been playing really well,” said Wave coach Keith Tozer. “He normally played in the midfield for us, and then for Chicago, but I've been playing him in the back and I think he's done a really good job.”

“It's not many times that Leite, (Carlos) Munoz and those guys get shut out, having other guys step up is important for us.”

St. Louis, which lost 24-4 in Milwaukee last week, blocked 20 shots and saw keeper Jeff Richey record 25 saves as Milwaukee outshot the Ambush 50-25 but struggled to break through.

“Jeff had an unbelievable game for them,” Tozer said. “We kind of threw everything at him, and we're kind of fortunate to come out of here with a victory.”

The Ambush led 6-4 after three quarters before the Wave turned the match around.

JC Banks tied the match just 28 seconds into the fourth quarter, and Pablo's 3-point rocket just over two minutes later pushed the Wave ahead 9-6. St. Louis tied it, but goals by Victor Quiroz on a restart and then Leite gave Milwaukee a four-point lead.

The Wave was originally scheduled to play this game on Saturday afternoon, but winter weather forced the MISL to adjust the schedule. Rochester was supposed to visit St. Louis on Friday but was delayed by the storm in the northeast; the Lancers will now take the Wave's Saturday afternoon spot in St. Louis.

Milwaukee returns home next Saturday at 6 p.m. to face Rochester, coached by former Wave player Josh Rife. Fans can get an Ian Bennett bobblehead. For tickets, call 414-224-9283 or visit milwaukeewave.com.