Strykers Down Wave 6-3 in MASL Quarterfinal First Leg

Palmer, Gomez lead comprehensive team performance

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WATCH: Postgame comments by Robert Palmer (English)
WATCH: Postgame comments by Brandon Gomez (English & Spanish)
WATCH: Postgame comments by Dayerson Graterol (English & Spanish)

Ontario, Calif. — The sixth-seed Empire Strykers took the lead in their home-and-away Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) quarterfinal series against the Milwaukee Wave on Thursday evening, defeating the visiting third seed 6-3 in front of 3,794 at Toyota Arena. The victory was powered by a comprehensive team performance and by standout displays from goalkeeper Brandon Gomez and backline anchor Robert Palmer, who is also the club’s Interim Head Coach. While Gomez recorded 14 saves and an excellent save percentage of 82.4%, along with an assist, Palmer finished the match with a goal, two helpers and four blocked opposition shots.

The playoff series between the Strykers and Milwaukee now moves to Wisconsin for Monday’s second leg. In the event of a Wave win, a 15-minute mini game will determine who advances to take on the Kansas City Comets in the semifinals.

Empire claimed an early edge when a through ball by Dayerson Graterol released Palmer one on one and the veteran calmly slotted underneath onrushing backstop William Banahene for 1-0. The home side then doubled its advantage late in the opening period. Having received the ball from ‘keeper Gomez with his back toward the goal, forward Barbaro Shelier caught the opposition defense off guard by driving inside with his first touch and firing a low, left-footed effort inside the right post from range.

Milwaukee tallied twice to level the match in the closing stages of the second quarter. First, Ricardo Carvalho set up indoor legend Ian Bennett on a power play. Then, on a textbook counterattack, Alex Steinwascher was sprung down the right and centered perfectly to Cam Will for a simple finish from inside the area. The two teams entered halftime tied at 2-2.

The Strykers jumped back on top shortly after intermission, Justin Stinson bagging his team’s third on a brilliant individual play. After collecting a pass by fellow attacker Mounir Alami, the technically gifted midfielder seemed to be moving away from goal on the left but suddenly changed directions and broke free courtesy of a slick move around Tanner Hodgson that left the MASL rookie frozen in place. Stinson took a few steps before driving a low shot inside the far post, leaving Banahene without a chance.

Just over a third into the period, it would be 4-2 to Empire, as Palmer picked out Graterol on the left side of the box and the Venezuelan poked an unstoppable effort off the underside of the crossbar and into the net. The hosts subsequently had a golden opportunity to pull away. On a shot off the plexiglass, the ball fell right to Mexican star Marco Fabián, who stared at an unguarded net and hit his-first time attempt perfectly, only to see it scraped off the line by Correa.

Just as Empire seemed to have all the momentum, the Wave got back to within one in the most unlikely of ways. On an opposition power play, the visitors made it 4-3 via a breakaway, Javier Steinwascher picking out his brother Alex Steinwascher for the netter. The younger of the two siblings finished emphatically past onrushing netminder Gomez, recording his second short-handed goal of the campaign.

Early in the fourth period, the Strykers came within a hair’s breadth of reestablishing their previous cushion. On a free kick from the top of the arc, Andy Reyes laid the ball off to Stinson, whose first-time hit smashed off the underside of the bar. The home side did make it 5-3 in the game’s dramatic closing stages. With Milwaukee fielding attack-minded ‘keeper Gerardo Perez, Empire took full advantage of the 21-year old serving as a de facto sixth field player. After his team won possession, Palmer sent a shot off the left end boards, the rebound falling to Alan Perez for a finish into the unguarded goal.

The boisterous crowd at Toyota Arena had one more tally to celebrate, as Issak Somow pounced on a blocked Wave shot and carried the ball deep into opposition territory before slotting into the empty for 6-3.

Monday’ second leg between the Strykers and host Milwaukee is scheduled to kick off at 4:35 p.m. PT.