Irons Host Storm In Crucial Meeting On Sunday

It's not quite desperation time, but it sure is getting close to it.

With the midway point of the season vastly approaching, the Ironmen (3-5) find themselves in need of a win to keep pace with the first place Milwaukee Wave--who have dropped the Irons in their last two meetings.

The Irons enter Sunday's home match against the Chicago Storm (2-6) in the midst of a three game slide. They are hoping that the return of goalkeeper Le Clembo do Carmo will help bolster a defense that has conceded a combined 46 points during the last three games. Le suffered a pre-season cheekbone fracture. He was 0-3 with a .583 save percentage during his rookie campaign last season.

Former Red Bull New York draft pick Randi Patterson will make his debut in an Ironmen uniform. The Hackensack, NJ native was acquired from the Storm in a trade for Frederico Moojen last week.

Moojen and former Ironmen midfielder Lazo Alavanja will try to get the sputtering Storm back on track after losing their last five games.

The match will get underway at 1:00 PM at the Prudential Center. Coverage can be seen on the B2 Networks.

Some more Ironmen notes:

* Ironmen Lucio Gonzaga was named XSL Offensive Player of the Month for January. The Brazilian midfielder notched 28 points during the month.

* The New York Titans of the National Lacrosse League will also be in action at the Prudential Center on Sunday. They will take on the Philadelphia Wings starting at 7:00 PM. Fans can see both games for $20 by calling 1-800-IRONMEN.

* The first 3000 fans into the doors before the Ironmen match will receive a 2008-09 Ironmen Dancers Photo Card.

Reeling Irons Deal For Patterson

Randi Patterson

The Ironmen shook up their roster this weekend when they sent Frederico Moojen to the Chicago Storm in return for forward Randi Patterson.

Patterson, a Hackensack, NJ native, started his club career in 2007 as a member of Red Bull New York. The 23-year-old most recently played for the Charleston Battery where he lead the club with 10 goals. He had registered two assists in seven matches this season for the Storm.

Moojen leaves the Irons after scoring four goals and one assist this year. The Brazilian forward earned Rookie of the Year honors last season after a 22 goal campaign. He has been hampered by a toe injury.

The move comes on the heels of a dismal three game slide that dropped the Irons to a disappointing 3-5 record. The team is hoping that the shakeup bolsters team chemistry."We just felt that we had too many targets and needed to create a better mix of midfielders and targets on our roster," said Ironmen head coach Omid Namazi in the press release.

We hope it works. The season is too short to be in a hole at the midway point.