Sharks Get First Win!

The Orlando Sharks made franchise history getting the first Major Indoor Soccer League win of their inaugural season in front of an elated crowd at the Amway Arena, beating the California Cougars 16-13. The win snapped a 16-game losing streak to open the 2007-08 season.

Dominating California from the opening kick, defenseman JP Rodrigues’ three- point goal with two minutes remaining sealed the win. Goal keeper Paul Nagy, had a career game, and was a key factor in the Sharks defensive success.

The victory hungry Sharks swam into the shark tank in attack mode as midfielder Miki Djerisilo struck first with a goal in the opening five minutes of play. The offense refused to let up as defender Bill Sedgewick capitalized on a hole in California’s defense scoring with less than three minutes remaining in the period. The quarter ended with the score Sharks 4 Cougars 0.

The Cougars roared back, as midfielder Marcelo Santos scored early in the second period. Orlando answered quickly as midfielder Eric Vasquez found the back of the net off a pass from forward Mauricio Ruiz. At the half, Orlando’s lead was 6 – 2. For the first time this season, Orlando’s halftime lead transferred into the third and final periods. California tried to come back with a score from midfielder Craig Scheer.

The Sharks lead was 11-6 at the end of three quarters. Cougar’s forward Enrique Tovar tied the game at 11 all, with five minutes left, but Sharks forward Damien Pottinger put Orlando back on top to stay. Though it was a nail-biter to the finish, the Orlando Sharks showed great character in holding the lead for their first win.