January 23, 2020
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (January 23, 2020) -- For the first time in five years, the Rochester Lancers will journey to the Midwest on a two-game road trip in the Major Arena Soccer League this weekend.
They will visit the defending champion Milwaukee Wave at Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wis. on Saturday at 7:07 p.m. ET before taking on the Kansas City Comets at the Silverstein Eye Center in Kansas City, Mo. on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
The Lancers (0-9) haven't faced either team since the 2014-15 MASL season.
"I think it's going to be a great experience for the guys to see other levels, other venues that we're going to be able to play at," Rochester head coach Doug Miller said. "We're looking forward to the challenge. It's been some growing pains as we've gone through this, but we've put segments together that have been positive. Players have grown. Now, it's trying to elongate the distances in which we can be as competitive as possible. We'll take a short-term goal saying, 'How do we keep a team at five goals or less and can we keep it close going into the third and fourth quarter?' If we could do that, then we could take steps forward."
In their most recent game last Sunday, a 13-3 loss at the Harrisburg Heat, the Lancers were within striking distance at halftime at 5-3 but allowed five unanswered goals in the third quarter as the hosts pulled away. Frank Ciliberto, Anthony Rozzano and Peter DiLorenzo scored for the Lancers.
Anthony Rozzano leads the team in goals (four) and assists. Michael Cunningham and Jeremy Ortiz have contributed three goals apiece.
On Monday, Angel Curiel snapped a 6-6 deadlock at 9:40 of the final period to boost Milwaukee to a 7-6 home win over Kansas City. Alex Bradley led the Wave with two goals and two assists.
The Wave (7-3), which is in second place in the Eastern Division, boasts a four-prong attack with forward Ian Bennett (19 goals, three assists) leading the way. Forward Max Ferdinand has contributed eight goals and 14 assists. Luan Oliveira has chipped in 14 goals and four assists and Bradley has 12 goals and five assists. Marcio Leite has added 11 assists. Goalkeeper Rafael Dias has recorded a 6-1 mark and 4.28 goals-against average.
Both games will be available on MASL.TV.
For the first time in three weeks, the Lancers will return home to play back-to-back games at the Dome Arena in Henrietta, N.Y. next weekend. They welcome the Baltimore Blast on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. as 20 individuals will be inducted into the first class of the Lancers Wall of Fame at halftime.
Rochester will host the St. Louis Ambush on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.
The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.