Cedar Rapids Rampage United remain unbeaten after 3-0 shutout of Madison

CEDAR RAPIDS — Even with a different jersey number, there was no disguising Kenan Malicevic.

The Cedar Rapids forward needed less than 90 seconds to score the opening goal as the undefeated Rampage United won their fifth game in a row, 3-0, over the Madison 56ers in a Premier League of America soccer match before over 400 fans Saturday night at Kingston Stadium.

'We're just guys that are hungry,' Malicevic said. 'We want to bring as many fans to our games (as possible). We want to show this city that there is beauty in this game.'

Wearing jersey No. 6 instead of his customary No. 11 due to an oversight in the production of the alternate white home jerseys, Malicevic found a gap in the Madison defense and fielded a pass from surging midfielder Bobby Hurwitz for the early advantage.

'He made a great pass and I had a nice, easy finish at the far post,' Malicevic said.

The score was the fifth this season for Malicevic – who starred at Cedar Rapids Washington and Cedar Valley Christian as a prep before playing collegiately at Drake – which ties him for the team lead with fellow forward Gordy Gurson.

Mount Vernon native Drew Russell saw action in the second half and delivered his second goal in two games at the 65-minute mark, while defender Sam Guernsey collected his first goal of the season off an assist from former Iowa City High prep Fernando Pacheco in the closing seconds.

The victory kept Cedar Rapids (5-0-0, 15 standings points) in first place in the PLA West division along with defending league champion Milwaukee (5-1-0, 15), which also won Saturday night.

Madison has one win and two ties in seven games, while the Rampage United have outscored their five opponents, 18-3.

'Everybody is contributing defensively,' Cedar Rapids Coach Hewerton Moreira said. 'We've been able to defend from our attacking half, which relieves some pressure from our second-to-last line and the last line of defenders.'

The Rampage United will be without Malicevic as they travel to Illinois Sunday for a game with first-year PLA club Elgin Pumas. Malicevic strained his left hamstring in the second half and did not return to action.

'Rest, we don't have a lot,' Moreira said with a laugh. 'Our key for the weekend was to try as much as we could to make this game a little bit easy on ourselves. Not an easy game, but easy on ourselves by passing and moving, sharing the ball and being able to have the ball possession more than the other team.'

Cedar Rapids returns to Kingston July 8 against the Croatian Eagles on 'Fan Appreciation Night,' which will feature free admission for all attendees.

AT KINGSTON STADIUM

Cedar Rapids Rampage United 3, Madison 56ers 0

Goals — Kenan Malicevic (5), Drew Russell (2), Sam Guernsey (1). Assists —

Bobby Hurwitz, Fernando Pacheco.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com