12/20/2009 8:00 PM -
RAMPAGE BACK IN 1ST
Rockford defense clamps down en route to 9-4 win over La RaZa de Monterrey
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Rockford Rampage goalkeeper Danny Waltman made 15 saves and Semir Mesanovic tallied two goals as the Rampage defeated La RaZa de Monterrey, 9-4, on Sunday in Major Indoor Soccer League play at the MetroCentre.
With the victory, Rockford finds itself at the top of the MISL standings once again as the team gears up for a 5:05 p.m. match on Sunday, Dec. 27, when the Rampage host the Baltimore Blast (3-1).
In the first quarter on Sunday, the Rampage came up empty on an early power-play opportunity. But shortly after La Raza's penalty expired, Rockford midfielder Matthew Stewart netted an unassisted three-point goal for a 3-0 lead at the 3:23 mark of the first. La RaZa (2-3) immediately responded with two-point goals from Angel Hernandez (3:45 mark) and Mark Ughy (5:09 mark) for a 4-3 lead.
Rockford grabbed the first-quarter lead with 2:30 remaining when Mesanovic made a difficult chest trap and turned with a left-footed strike past La RaZa goalkeeper Jose Bontti for a 5-4 lead. Bato Radoncic assisted.
In the second quarter, Mesanovic netted his second goal on the power play for a 7-4 lead with 3:51 remaining in the half.
In the third quarter, Rockford padded its lead with 3:49 left in the frame, just as La RaZa's penalty expired. Mesanovic found Jamar Beasley for a chip-shot goal past Bontti for a 9-4 advantage.
The Rampage and La RaZa defenses played to a fourth-quarter stalemate, with La RaZa utilizing Victor Quiroz as the sixth attacker for roughly the final 6 minutes of the match.
Rockford Rampage 9, La RaZa de Monterrey 4
Monterrey 4 0 0 0 - 4
Rockford 5 2 2 0 - 9
SCORING
First quarter
1. Rockford - Stewart (unassisted), 3-point goal, 3:23; 2. Monterrey - Hernandez (Farias), 3:45; 3. Monterrey - Ughy (Krause), 5:09; 4. Rockford - Mesanovic (Radoncic), 12:30.
Second quarter
5. Rockford - Mesanovic (Radoncic), power-play goal, 11:09.
Third quarter
6. Rockford - Beasley (Mesanovic), 11:11.
Fourth quarter
No scoring
The Rockford Rampage and La RaZa de Monterrey are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. For more information, log on to
www.misl.net.
