Comets Win Opener in OT

From the Comets

(Wichita, KS) The MISL season opener matched up two teams with a combined one year of operations between them. You would never know it this old rivalry was renewed with a passion. Brazilian Midfielder Geison proved to be the star of the game as he scored his 5th goal at the 4:29 mark of overtime to give the Comets a 16-14 victory. Both teams will suit up again tomorrow night back in the Independence Events Center for Game 2 of this Opening Weekend.

Geison, just back from a summer spent with the Minnesota NSC Stars of the NASL, started things off right away in the first quarter, scoring the first goal of the year at 6:45. As would happen all night, the other team answered fairly quickly. Neither team could pull ahead by more than a goal all night. Not to be outdone by his old teammate, Wichita’s Jamar Beasley came out ready to play. By halftime he already had two goals and was looking for more as the Wings led 6-4. Vahid Assadpour wouldn’t stand for that as he put a Rocket past Sanaldo off a set piece from the top of the arc, halftime score 6-6.

It was back and forth all night with Jamar Beasley scoring a hat trick on a power play in the third quarter, followed shortly by a goal from another former Comet Bryan Perez. Geison continued his super night notching his 4th (powerplay) goal just before the end of the third.

In the fourth Brian Harris caught Wichita goalkeeper misplaying the ball and made him pay. Once again we found the teams tied at 12. One of the former Wings making a return to the new team, Chris Lemons, seemed to put the game away with 2 minutes remaining with a goal that just snuck by Danny Waltman. The Comets pulled the 6th Attacker at that point and it was worth it when Neto scored his first goal as a Comet to tie the game and send us to overtime.

The overtime period was fast and furious as both teams tried to end the game quickly. The early Comets pressure proved to be the right move as Geison scored his fifth goal of the night and sent the Comets home winners.

“This is the Comets/Wings rivalry that I remember and love,” said coach Kim Roentved, “they have put together a good squad and it’s tough to play against them in this place, but our boys never gave up.” Coach Roentved, who played several seasons for the original Wings received a standing ovation tonight in Hartman Arena in the third quarter after being recognized by the PA announcer.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow night as the Comets open their Home season at the Independence Events Center at 7:35pm. The first 3,000 fans in attendance receive a Comets Build A Bearm courtesy of Citizens Bank and Trust.

For more information about the Comets, Season Tickets or Group Outings please call Jeff Husted (816-478-7870) or email jhusted@cometsindoorsoccer.com.