WAZA FLO UNABLE TO HOLD OFF MUSKEGON

WAZA FLO UNABLE TO HOLD OFF MUSKEGON IN 11-7 LOSS

MUSKEGON, MI - The Waza Flo found their bid for their first win on the young season thwarted by the Risers after a late Muskegon comeback. After ending 2017 with three losses, the Flo ran out of steam down the stretch in a physical battle that ended 11-7 in favor of the hosting Risers.

The Waza Flo jumped out to an early, emphatic lead as Joey Tinnion scored back-to-back goals just over 5 minutes into the match. Mitchell Brickman added a goal to end the first period and give the Flo a 3-0 lead. The second started out much like the first as Tinnion selaed a hattrick to go along with a Mirsad Halep goal that saw the visitors take a 5-0 advantage. The Risers then got on the board by way of a power play goal from Matt Schmitt. The two sides traded goals to end the half (Mario Morana for the Flo and Paris Martins for Muskegon) and the Flo lead 6-2.

After the break, Justice Sikkema cut the Flo lead to 3 before Tinnion netted his 4th of the night to restore the 4 goal advantage. Unfortunately for Waza, This was their last tally of the night as Muskegon scored 8 unanswered goals from Nick Capiscolto, Stu Collins, TJ Ifaturoti (2), Kody Harrell, Adam Clauss, and Sikkema (2) in a spirited second half comeback.

The win is the Risers' first on the year as they improve to 1-3 this season in the MASL2's Eastern Conference. Muskegon now enjoys a two-week break before taking on the same Waza Flo in Melvindale. The Flo's fourth loss to open the campaign drops them to 0-4. They look to right the ship as they host the Chicago Mustangs on January 13th at 7:05pm in their home opener at the Melvindale Arena. Tickets are available at WazaFlo.com.

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As a member of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL), the Waza Flo represent their state with pride.  The Waza Flo have won the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) Eastern Division Championship in 2012 and 2013, and were finalists in the League Championship each of those years. In 2017-18, Waza Flowill be part of Major Arena Soccer League 2 (MASL 2), and will play in the Eastern Division against teams from Cincinnati, Chicago, Muskegon, Denver, and Colorado Springs. In Japanese, the word “Waza” means“technique” and in Swahili, “Waza” means “to think clearly”. But in Melvindale, “Waza” means“Championships!”.