Mustangs reck Rampage in OT

Wilo scores golden goal 

CHICAGO (Nov. 12)  –– The Chicago Mustangs executed the game-winning sequence with aplomb in the 7-6 overtime win over Cedar Rapids.

Miguel Vaca laid a weighted pass off for Efrain "Wilo" Martinez on the left wing, and he buried his shot to the far post for the sudden-death goal, his third of the game, with 4:29 left in OT. 

"We executed the final play to perfection for the walk-off win," coach Armando Gamboa said. "We were fortunate to have those two players link up in a dangerous part of the field. That combination of players will be crucial for us all season."

The Mustangs improved to 4-1 in home openers and have won back-to-back home openers.

Goalkeeper Jesus Flores made several sprawling saves including one in overtime to keep the game alive, he finished with 19 saves.

The Mustangs (1-0) nearly won the game at the end of regulation when forward Taylor Bond knocked down Flores' long ball to midfielder Alexis Camarena, whose half-volley rocked the crossbar. 

Wilo's second goal put the Mustangs up 4-2 with 13:11 left in the third quarter, for the team's largest lead of the game. The Rampage (1-1) answered with four-straight goals to take a 6-4 lead with 11:42 left.

The Mustangs pulled one back when Bond stripped Cedar Rapids keeper Brett Petricek at midfield, and turned to bury a long-range shot, for his second goal of the game. After they killed a penalty, defender Ephraim Beard's blast from the left wing forced a rebound that Osvaldo Rojas buried in front of the net to knot the game. 

This set the tone for the climatic ending from the Mustangs in their 2016-17 opener.