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Nov 11, 2007 from the AISL Newswire |
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Rampage Hold Off Rebels 7-4 in Northern Illinois’ Home Opener
The American Indoor Soccer League’s Rockford Rampage jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second quarter, but would hold off a furious comeback from a plucky Northern Illinois Rebels squad, taking their second win of the season 7-4 at the Lake County Sports Center.
After a cautious start on both sides of the ball, the Rampage (2-0) would light the lamp four straight times, led by two goals by Bojan Jovicic. Ante Cop and Erik Lukin would add second quarter tallies.
The Rebels scored their first ever AISL goal late in the second quarter, when defender Sinisa Alebic converted a shootout attempt.
The confidence level of the young Rebel squad increased in the third quarter, as they narrowed the lead to 4-2 on a Boris Maric tally six minutes into the third. However, the optimism was short-lived, as Ante Cop scored his first two-pointer of the season, lobbing a long ball past Rebel ‘keeper Richard Drake. Drake came into the game at the start of the third, relieving starter Alex Flores.
After the game, Rebels coach Salvador Morote said that Cop’s deuce was “like a shot to the heart” for his team.
However, they would keep fighting back. The Rebels would once again chip away at the lead, as Igor Stejpic bagged his first of the year at 7:51. Less than a minute later, Eric Lukin scored his second of the game to extend the lead to 7-3. A goal by Rebel forward Juan Beretta thirty seconds later ended the scoring.
Dimitri Meletis got the win in goal for the Rampage, making nine saves. Richard Drake took the loss, allowing three points and making three saves.
“You have to give the Rebels credit,” said Rampage coach Jeff Kraft after the game. “They worked hard, and will be a good team within a few games. My guys knew what needed to be done, and came through. It’s always good to get a win on the road.”
The Rampage will return to the field next Saturday night, when they host the Massachusetts Twisters at 7:30PM CST in their new Victory Sports Arena home. The Rebels will take to the road to face the Cincinnati Excite at the Game Time Training Center at 7:30 EST.
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Now in
it's third season, the American Indoor Soccer League has offices in West
Springfield, MA (Administrative) and Cleveland, OH (Media Relations). For
more information on the AISL, contact commissioner Paul LaPointe at (413)
569-0088 or director of media relations Rich Paschette at (216) 741-4144.
Information on the league can also be found on the AISL's official website,
www.aisl.org.
Questions or Comments? aislpr@aol.com
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