The Philadelphia KiXX (0-1) took a two-point lead into halftime tonight in their 2009-10 Major Indoor Soccer League season opener at Arena Monterrey, but an offensive third quarter by the hometown La Raza (1-0) led to an eventual loss, 15-13. Six different players scored goals for the KiXX on the night, with goalkeeper Sanaldo taking the tight loss in net.
La Raza jumped out to an early 4-0 advantage in this contest off two-point notches by forwards Chile Farias and Mark Ughy, but KiXX midfielder Ricardinho then recorded the first goal of the season for Philadelphia to pull the road team within a score, 4-2.
The second period in this match saw a flurry of scoring, with a total of six balls hitting the back of the net. Former KiXX defender Genoni Martinez struck first for Monterrey to stretch the gap to 6-2, but Philadelphia retaliated with three straight knocks to snatch the lead, 8-6. Midfielder Sandre Naumoski tallied the first of the trio, followed up by two quick goals by New Jersey natives Anthony Maher of Cape May and Ryan Heins of Medford. La Raza forward Byron Alvarez then equalized for the hosts before six-year veteran Ptah Myers gave the KiXX a 10-8 advantage heading into intermission.
Monterrey got the hot hand in final half of the third frame, with Martinez first registering a three-point notch to give La Raza back the lead, 11-10. Monterrey midfielder Armando Teran stretched the gap another two points shortly after that goal, and a second tally on the night by Alvarez made it 15-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
The final quarter was relatively quiet in terms of scoring until Philadelphia brought on the sixth attacker. In the waning minutes of the contest, Philadelphia University and North Catholic High School graduate Pat Morris pounded home a triple to close the margin to two points, 15-13, but the KiXX would eventually fall just short in their comeback efforts.
