MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Wave have the highest scoring offense in the Major Arena Soccer League. But their defense is why they're moving on to the semifinals in the playoffs.
"We defended together and we were unselfish," forward Max Ferdinand said. "We know we had to defend against a great team, so that's what we did. That's what we did and we came through."
"That was our game plan," defender Mario Alvarez said. "Defense first and then our goals are going to come."
The Wave pitched a shutout in the winner-take-all third game against the Empire Strykers. Up next, the rival Baltimore Blast.
"Good squad, you know. Defensively, offensively, they are very organized," Alvarez said. "I just know it's going to be a battle, but I know with our team, we can fight anybody and we can win."
"It's always a rivalry," Head Coach Marcio Leite said. "I can tell you that when we play Baltimore, it's never easy. All-around very good team. They can defend well, they attack well, they transition well, so it's going to be a tough matchup. It's going to come down to big players making big plays."
The Wave will get a huge boost against the Blast, playing each game of the best of three series at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. They are a league best 11 and 3 in front of fans that have Coach Marcio Leite rethinking his profession.
"You know what? I even want to play when these fans are screaming," Leite said. "This is a fun game, and you can support because we're trying to win a championship for Milwaukee."
Game 1 is Friday, April 10, at 6:35 p.m.
