11/14/2008 3:53 PM -
Philadelphia, PA, November 15, 2008 – The Philadelphia KiXX defeated the Massachusetts Twisters by a score of 34-11 in the final home opener in Wachovia Spectrum history in front of 6,357 fans. The 34-point output was the highest in KiXX franchise history. Three KiXX players recorded hat tricks, including Cape May, NJ native Anthony Maher, captain Pat Morris, and newcomer Hewerton. Mayor Michael Nutter was on hand to participate in the ceremonial first kick.
Neil Krause scored the first goal in the history of the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) for the Twisters just over a minute into the contest on a feed from Paulo Lima. The KiXX knotted the game at two when Anthony Maher scored his first goal as a member of Philadelphia, assisted by Ryan Heins. Maher signed with the KiXX as a free agent during the 2008 offseason, after playing the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Wave. After Mike Lapointe was penalized for an illegal substitution against the Twisters, Pat Morris capitalized for the KiXX on a rebound from the slot. Freddie Sooza responded with his first goal of the season, the assist from Krause. With Alex Montinucci in the penalty box for a misconduct call, the Twisters regained the lead when Kyle Texeira scored on a shorthanded breakaway. With 46 seconds remaining in the quarter, Angel Rivillo buried his first of the season, assisted by Ricardinho.
Hewerton gave the KiXX an 9-6 lead to start the second quarter on a three-point goal after Lima was penalized for the Twisters on a tripping call. Ricardinho was credited with his second assist. Ptah Myers extended the KiXX lead to 11-6 on a feed from player/coach Don D’Ambra. The match was the 500th in D’Ambra’s 15-year career. Hewerton scored his second goal for the KiXX, unassisted with 9:43 remaining in the half to put Philadelphia ahead 13-6. D’Ambra and co. cashed in on yet another power play with 4:36 remaining, the assist from Hewerton. Philadelphia would take a 17-6 lead into the locker room courtesy of a Pat Morris goal with 10 seconds remaining, set up by Maher.
Ptah Myers opened scoring for the KiXX in the third quarter, his second of the night, unassisted. John Barry Nusum got in on the scoring two minutes later, giving Philadelphia a 21-6 lead, assisted by Kevin Colman, a rookie out of LaSalle University. The assist was the Media, PA native’s first career point. Maher knocked in his second of the game two minutes later, on a feed from Ricardinho. Morris completed the hat trick with 7:40 remaining in the third quarter, an unassisted 3-point goal. Ricardinho punched in his second of the night less than a minute later, assisted by Rivillo. Hewerton tallied his third goal of the game on another power play, assist from Morris to end the third.
Oliver Medina broke the scoreless drought for the Twisters, on an assist from Jeff Deren. Answering right back was Maher, assisted by Jorge Vallejo, a rookie who had been on the KiXX developmental roster for the past two seasons. Ricardinho completed his hat trick with 1:46 left, while Maher recorded another assist. Lima finished scoring for the Twisters, a three-point goal to end the game at 34-11.
Notes: The KiXX improve to 9-4 in home openers. Peter Pappas stopped four of seven shots, while Nick Hovaker II stopped four of six in relief.
