Second-half shutout sparks Cedar Rapids Rampage in 10-4 victory over Kansas City

CEDAR RAPIDS — For the second time in six days, the Cedar Rapids Rampage faced off against the Kansas City Comets.

This one did not need overtime.

Goalkeeper Brett Petricek and the Cedar Rapids defense held the Comets scoreless for the entire second half as the Rampage won for the fourth time in a row, 10-4, in a Major Arena Soccer League match before 1,375 fans Saturday night at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'Obviously the indoor game is very reactionary in saves,' said Petricek, who was credited with 16 saves. 'I thought I did well with that, for the most part. It just felt good to finally get back into form like I was last year.'

Two first-quarter goals by defender Joshio Sandoval helped the Rampage (4-3) to an early 4-2 lead that they never relinquished.

Kansas City (2-4) pulled within 5-4 at halftime with a pair of late second-quarter goals, but three fourth-quarter scores by midfielder Bobby Hurwitz – two with an empty net off his own steal and a sixth attacker in for Kansas City – delivered a hat trick and ensured the Comets would not catch up.

'When I'm up there, I know I have a lot of speed,' Hurwitz said. 'The closer I get to them and the more pressure I put on them, the harder it is for them to find the pass. I know once the last guy on their team has the ball, I know I've got to get up there and get in his face. When that happens, they tend to not know what they are doing and it benefits me.'

Midfielders Gordy Gurson and Victor France also scored second-half goals for Cedar Rapids. France – acquired Dec. 1 in a trade with St. Louis – finished with two scores and has five in two games with the Rampage.

'I think it boiled down to we're starting to become a real team,' said Rampage player-coach Jonathan Greenfield, who posted two assists. 'This was a character game. You need character, and we showed.'

Cedar Rapids hosts Kansas City again next Saturday.

AT U.S. CELLULAR CENTER

Cedar Rapids Rampage 10, Kansas City Comets 4

Kansas City 2 2 0 0—4

Cedar Rapids 4 1 1 4—10

Shots on goal —

Cedar Rapids 38, Kansas City 30.

First period

Scoring —

1. Cedar Rapids: Edwin Rojas, 14:44; 2. Kansas City: Leo Gibson, 13:56; 3. Cedar Rapids: Joshio Sandoval (Mohamed Kenawy), 6:03; 4. Cedar Rapids: Joshio Sandoval (Gordy Gurson); 5. Cedar Rapids: Osvaldo Rojas (Charlie Bales), 3:53; 6. Kansas City: Bryan Perez (Pat Kelly), 2:26.

Second period

Scoring —

7. Cedar Rapids: Victor France (Alex Bradley), 5:35; 8. Kansas City: Andre Braithwaite (Carlos Trombini), 4:56; 9. Kansas City: Leo Gibson, 4:26.

Third period

Scoring —

10. Cedar Rapids: Gordy Gurson (Jonathan Greenfield), 4:06.

Fourth period

Scoring —

11. Cedar Rapids: Bobby Hurwitz (Osvaldo Rojas), 9:44; 12. Cedar Rapids: Victor France (Jonathan Greenfield), 8:15; 13. Cedar Rapids: Bobby Hurwitz, 3:12; 14. Bobby Hurwitz, 2:54.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com