Blast loses three players in expansion draft
June 22, 2005 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Baltimore Blast News Release
California Cougars Take Blast Goalkeeper Brian Rowland with Second Pick
Baltimore, MD - The Baltimore Blast lost three players to the California Cougars in this afternoon's MISL Expansion Draft. The Expansion Draft took place today in order to fill the roster for the expansion California Cougars who will take the field for the 2005-06 MISL season. The Cougars, coached by Troy Dayak, selected Blast goalkeeper Brian Rowland, defender Nevio Pizzolitto and forward Alejandro Moreno.
"Unfortunately, with an expansion draft, teams are going to lose valuable players," Baltimore Blast General Manager Kevin Healey said. "Brian is an excellent goalkeeper with a bright future and we wish him the best of luck. Nevio and Alejandro are also outstanding additions to the Cougars' roster."
Rowland, a graduate of UMBC and a native of Toronto, Canada, played in 22 games for the Blast last season and posted an 8-11 season. Rowland ranked fourth in the MISL in save percentage (.708) and was named MISL Goalkeeper of the Week three times last season. He made his MISL debut with two games played in 2003-04 and was named First Team Northeast All Conference in 2002 while playing for UMBC. The Blast originally acquired Rowland in 2003 with the fourth pick of the MISL Dispersal Draft.
The Blast acquired both Pizzolitto and Moreno in January in the MISL Dispersal Draft though neither player made Baltimore's active roster. Pizzolitto, a member of the Canadian National Team, started the 2004-05 season with the Sockers, recording five assists and eight blocks. He played for the Sockers, the Force and the Thunder-Hawks in the MISL/NPSL and is playing this summer with the A-League's Montreal Impact. Moreno had five goals and one assist in six games for the now-defunct Monterrey Fury at the start of the 2004-05 season.
The 16-round Major Indoor Soccer League Expansion Draft was held today via conference call in order for California to fill its roster with players from the other seven MISL teams. The Cougars selected Marco Lopez from the St. Louis Steamers with the first selection of the draft. Kansas City, Baltimore and Cleveland lost the maximum three players.
The Baltimore Blast is currently conducting summer soccer camps throughout the summer at various sites in the Baltimore area. The Baltimore Blast Summer Soccer Camps will run until the week of August 15-19.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from June 22, 2005
- California Cougars Select 16 In MISL Expansion Draft - MISL 2
- Two Wave champions selected in MISL Expansion Draft - Milwaukee Wave
- Blast loses three players in expansion draft - Baltimore Blast
- California Cougars Select 16 In MISL Expansion Draft - California Cougars
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