WAVE BLINDED BY FLASH IN FIRST HOME GAME OF 2023

Coming back with more intensity than ever in 2023, the 7-time champion Milwaukee Wave met The Monterrey Flash on the black turf of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

“We didn’t put four quarters together. We had a big lead, and it hurts even more when you let it slip away like that.” Head Coach Giuliano Oliviero noted in his thoughts about the loss. “Defensively we had to do better.”.

Ian Bennett led the Wave in the first quarter with the game-opening goal. This game marks his 36th consecutive scoring game.

The Wave adopted a zone-defense style that proved well for them as they kept the score 1-0 at the end of the first. Oliveira brought the Wave to 2-0 at the beginning of the second quarter. After even more intense and physical play, Wiedabach followed bringing the score 3-0, Wave, at the end of the half.

The Flash came back from halftime with more intensity but still came up just short of the Wave’s unmatched energy.

Within the Milwaukee Wave Power Play, Huffman came shy of scoring the Wave’s first goal in the second half, but Ian Bennett did sneak one in over the keeper's head.

A challenge flag was thrown by Monterrey, but the goal stood valid after the replay. After some back and forth, and a goal from Andre Hayne, the score stood at 5-2, Wave, at the end of the third. In quarter four, the Flash snuck three more in to tie it 5-5 with seven minutes left. Despite the valiant effort, the Wave fell to their first home loss of the season, 5-6, Flash.

Luan Oliveira was named PCI’s Hardest Working Player of the Game.

He said, “In the second half we kind of… lost the rhythm. It’s a lesson for what’s coming, and it’s coming really quick.”  

Oliveira was named after one goal and one assist in tonight’s game.

“All we can do is regroup and do better on Sunday” said Coach Giuliano Oliviero.

The Wave will be seen next in Florida on Sunday, January 15^th as they challenge the Tropics at The RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL at 2:05p CT.

You can watch the game live and for free on Twitch.
 
Tickets are available at MilwaukeeWave.com or the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena Box Office before kick-off for future home games.