Ambush Play on Road, at Home This Weekend
St. Charles, MO (January 31, 2017) – The St. Louis Ambush collide with two Central Division rivals 24 hours apart this weekend. On Friday, February 3, the Ambush journey to Cedar Rapids to square off with the Rampage at 7:05 p.m. Following that contest, the Kansas City Comets invade the Family Arena for a 7:05 p.m. match Saturday, February 4.
Cedar Rapids and Kansas City, along with the Milwaukee Wave, are in a fierce battle for two playoff spots in the MASL Central Division, with only one game separating the three teams. Victories by the Ambush this weekend could certainly upset the apple cart for one or both of their opponents.
Cedar Rapids’ potent offense is led by former Ambush star Gordy Gurson (20 goals, 9 assists), along with Player/Coach Hewerton Moreira (18 goals, 9 assists). Another important piece of the Rampage offense is Pablo Da Silva, who has 21 points, consisting of four goals and 17 assists. Defender Joshio Sandoval is Cedar Rapids’ defensive leader with 19 blocks and goalkeeper Brett Petricek, in his first season of professional indoor soccer, continues to impress between the pipes. Petricek’s goals against average (5.15) ranks fifth in the league, while his save percentage (.734) and 10 wins both rank second in the MASL.
The rivals from the other side of the state always play a tough game and Saturday’s duel should be no different. Forward Leo Gibson leads Kansas City’s offense with 18 goals and 18 assists. Gibson is by no means a one-man show, however, as eight other Comets players have posted double-digits in points thus far. Defensively, Stefan Stokic has registered 27 blocks. Goalkeeper Stephen Paterson has emerged as one of the league’s best, ranking third in the MASL in goals against average (4.60), fourth in save percentage (.713) and is tied for first in wins with 11.
Richard Schmermund is the offensive leader for the Ambush in goals (eight) and points (10), while Kentaro Takada leads the team in assists with seven. Defensively, Chris Mattingly leads the team and the league in blocks with 37. In goal, Casey Clark and Nikola Marojevic have split time this season, with Clark appearing in 12 games and Marojevic in five. Clark has a 7.30 goals against average and a .668 save percentage, while Marojevic has 6.44 and .696, respectively.
Prior to the Saturday’s match with the Comets, alumni players from the Kansas City Comets and Kansas City Attack will face alumni players from the St. Louis Steamers, Storm and Ambush in a special alumni match from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Tickets for the February 4 Ambush-Comets game includes admission to the Alumni Game. The Alumni Game is presented in partnership with the St. Louis Steamers Soccer Club.
Fans can catch all Ambush games this season live on the MASLtv YouTube channel. Single game and group tickets are available for all remaining home games. For more information, call the Ambush office at 636-477-6363. Keep up to date with Ambush news by visiting the official website, stlambush.com, the team’s Facebook page and on Twitter and Instagram.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SLATED TO ATTEND ON FEBRUARY 4TH: