LUCANIA shuts out Spitfire -Sioux Falls Argus Leader

June 20, 2005 Troy Lindholm

For the Argus Leader (Sioux Falls)

One day after breaking a six-game losing streak, the Sioux Falls SpitFire'sencore didn't turn out the way it wanted.The SpitFire's unblemished home record came to an end Sunday afternoon asWinnipeg defeated Sioux Falls 2-0 in an exhibition game on a hot, windyFather's Day at McEneaney Field.After Saturday's 4-1 victory over Winnipeg on Saturday, the SpitFiresuffered from missed opportunities and poor finishing on Sunday.Neither team could muster much in the first 45 minutes, heading intohalftime deadlocked at 0-0. Winnipeg missed a chance to notch a goal in the44th minute when Franco Cassano couldn't find the back of an empty goal witha shot that sailed wide left.The SpitFire (2-6 in the Premier Developmental League, 3-7 overall) had moreshots on goal than Winnipeg at 13-9.

Lucania goalkeeper Brian Oleksiuk kepthis opponents in check by providing eight saves, five of them in the secondhalf."I think today they took the game to us and played more physical than wedid," said first-year Sioux Falls coach Daniel Ohayon, who watched his teamattempt four corner kick chances in the last half. "We could not put it awaytoday, but we were able to get some of our starters rested for Wednesday'sconference game."Danny Padilla came up with five saves for Sioux Falls, while B.J. Wylie ledthe offensive attack with a team-high four shots on goal. Philip Kleinattempted three shots for the SpitFire.Winnipeg broke a scoreless tie in the 49th minute when Rob Gale broke freeand hammered home the goal past a diving Padilla to make it 1-0."We just had a bad day and just couldn't get it in the net," Wylie said. "Wehad tons of chances, and if we could have got one to go, it may have givenus some momentum."Herb Blackwood led Winnipeg with five shots and also provided its secondgoal with an unassisted right-footed shot past a sprawled out Padilla in the73rd minute.The SpitFire travels to Kansas City to face the Brass on Wednesday in aHeartland Divisional showdown. Sioux Falls will host Indiana at 7:30 p.m.Saturday. Sioux Falls will also host Des Moines at 7:30 p.m Sunday.