November 7, 2009 - Downingtown, PA

The Kixx went into their final game of the regular season with a playoff spot locked up, and in fact with the #2 seed locked up. About the only thing that could change was that a Kixx victory, teamed with a West-Mont loss, would have given the Kixx 1st place. However, they were facing a hungry Marple Newtown team that needed to win to get into the playoffs.

The Kixx started off strong this time, with some good passing and strong defensive play from defenders Max Gress and Daniel Andris. Goalie Mike Battisti made a nice high save on to keep Marple from scoring first. Charlie Beale, Daniel Good, and Joey D'Angelo had some chances early, but the Marple keeper was up to the task, in particular making a number of great saves on shots headed right for the corner of the net. It wasn't until late in the first half that the Kixx tallied first, when Dalton Musselman drove home a shot into the same right corner.

Unfortunately, the Kixx fell to hard luck in the second half again. The desperate Union team pressed hard in the second half, and equalized the game on a well-placed free kick from the right side of the goal that sailed over keeper Daniel Good's head and into the far corner. It looked like we were headed for a draw, but then another penalty was called near the Kixx goal. Marple capitalized again, with one of their players heading home a beautiful centering pass for the lead. The Kixx fought hard, but just couldn't knock home another goal, and they ended the season with a disappointing 2-1 loss. Parts of the game were captured on video here:

The game wrapped up the first Kixx season with a 6-1-2 record, good for 2nd place in the 10-team league! What an accomplishment! The Kixx were also one of four teams to make the playoffs, and will play in the semi-finals this coming Saturday in a rematch against the same Marple Newtown Union team!