Reading Rage News Release - www.bsarage.com
Friday, June 26, 2009
READING, PA -- Friday night the Reading Rage needed a hero to overcome the elements and a pesky West Virginia Chaos team on the Rage’s annual Heroes night. Aaron Wheeler was up to the challenge. The tall, lanky forward pounded home three more goals as he attempted to play his way toward a league MVP title and another win at home for the first place Rage.
The game began with an electrifying start; literally, as severe thunderstorms pushed through before the scheduled 7:00 pm start. When the game finally began after an abbreviated warm up, the teams played a fast paced, clean game with few fouls or stoppages until the 28th minute when Chaos back Paul Nicholson (assist Jamie Lee Davies) took a feed from the right side of the box and fired in the game’s first goal.
The Rage got a break then, just as they were looking at going to the locker rooms down 1-0 at the half, another severe storm moved over Don Thomas Stadium, stopping play at the 42 minute mark. That break killed the pesky Chaos’ momentum and allowed the Rage to take over the game from the moment play started again.
Aaron Wheeler took over, as he took a feed and streaked down the middle of the pitch looking for an open shot. He did not need one though as he was taken down inside the box and awarded a penalty kick, which he promptly powered past Chaos goalie Adam Mitchell for his first of three goals in the 45th minute.
The two teams entered the locker rooms tied 1-1, but 5 minutes after play began in the second half, the Rage took a lead they never would relinquish on a 50th minute goal by Aaron Wheeler. Wheeler took a pass from Jon Ports and dribbled into the box and was promptly tackled by Mitchell setting up his second Penalty Kick of the game. Wheeler popped his shot past Mitchell giving the Rage their first lead of the game.
The 83rd minute brought Wheeler’s third and final goal as he headed home a miss by teammate Adam Gazda’s shot, which clanged off the cross bar. Wheeler immediately celebrated his hat trick by ripping his jersey off while running toward the Chaos bench earning himself a caution but an extreme sense of pride in one of his finest games yet.
Wheeler fit the bill on Heroes night, as the Rage recognized all Emergency workers, Military personnel, and other heroes during the game. A little luck and a big hero were just what the Rage needed to earn the win and stay atop the PDL Mid Atlantic division.
