Professional Arena Soccer League Update
February 19, 2013 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) News Release
Flash Clinch Playoffs, Avoid Major Upset
2/19/13 - The Rio Grande Valley Flash capped off their improbable run to the playoffs with a big win over the Chicago Mustangs and a shaky overtime win at the Texas Strikers.
The Flash beat Chicago 8-5 on Friday in what was basically an elimination game. Chicago seemed in control of their playoff destiny for most of the season while RGV struggled to a 4-4 start. After their two weekend wins, the Flash are the hottest team in the league, riding an eight-game winning streak into the playoffs.
In what was essentially a meaningless game, though, the Flash needed overtime to defeat the 3-12-but-suddenly-pesky Strikers 11-10 Saturday.
The Flash will meet the Dallas Sidekicks who beat RGV in three of four meetings. Against the rest of the league the Flash went 11-1.
Player of the Week
Enrique Tovar, Las Vegas Legends
"Qeeks" Tovar, the 33-year old veteran hired gun for the Legends, had a career year. Tovar, who came into the season leaner and meaner than ever, jump started the Las Vegas offense with 24 goals and 33 assists. With three goals and five assists in the season finale, Tovar leapfrogged San Diego's Aaron Susi to set the league's single-season assist record. Tovar finished second in the PASL with 57 points.
Kick Starters - Conversations you should be having about the PASL
Chiles Extends PASL Records
With two goals in his final game, San Diego's Kraig Chiles extended his league records for goals and points to 54 and 72, respectively.
Tovar Trumps Susi
San Diego's Aaron Susi scored three goals and two assists in the Sockers 15-9 win in Tijuana Sunday afternoon. That gave him a 32-28 lead over Enrique Tovar in the single-season assist chase. Bernie Lilavois, then with the Stockton Cougars, set the pace with 28 assists in 2008-09. That record stood for four years but was equaled by Susi and Tovar. Susi's hold on the record was short-lived as Tovar notched five assists in the Legends easy 20-5 win in Anaheim Sunday night.
US Open Final Set
The Detroit Waza will host the finals of the US Open Arena Soccer Championship against the Sockers on March 2 at Melvindale Ice Arena & Community Center. This will be the second finals appearance for Detroit, who lost the first ever US Open final to the St. Louis Illusion in 2009. The Sockers are the three-time reigning US Open champions.
Four Shorties
The San Diego Sockers were hard to stop in man-down situations on Sunday. The Toros gave up a league record four shorthanded goals, including two by Brian Farber who set another league record with five shorthanded knocks this season. The Sockers led the league with eight shorthanded goals.
Southern Hospitality
The Arizona Storm went 1-15 last year and the Sacramento Surge finished 1-14 this season. Each team earned their sole win at the expense of the Toros Mexico (who played last season as Revolucion Tijuana), who made the playoffs both seasons.
Vortex and Surge Set Record for Scoring Futility
The Arizona Storm scored an all-time low 59 goals last year. The Sacramento Surge scored only 58 this season, but the new league record belongs to the Ohio Vortex who scored a mere 40 goals in 16 games.
Kapinos Breaks League Record
The Detroit Waza's Joe Kapinos set a new PASL record with 13 goalkeeper wins. Craig Salvati and Riley Swift had each won 12 in prior seasons. Kapinos, in his rookie season, was tasked with replacing All-League First Team goalkeeper Vito Lonigro, and has responded by helping lead Detroit to a franchise-best 14-2 season.
The Week Ahead
REGULAR SEASON
Saturday February 23rd - 7:00PM CST - Texas Strikers at Dallas Sidekicks
PLAYOFFS
Saturday February 23rd - 3:30PM PST - Mexico Toros vs Las Vegas Legends @ Valley View Casino Arena
Saturday February 23rd - 7:05PM PST - San Diego Sockers vs Turlock Express @ Valley View Casino Arena
Saturday February 23rd - 8:30PM EST - Cincinnati Kings vs Detroit Waza @ Game Time Arena
Sunday February 24th - 2:35PM EST - Detroit Waza vs Cincinnati Kings @ Melvindale Civic Arena*
Sunday February 24th - 3:05PM CST - RGV Flash vs Dallas Sidekicks @ State Farm Arena
Sunday February 24th - 4:05PM PST - Las Vegas Legends vs Mexico Toros @ Orleans Arena*
Sunday February 24th - 6:35PM PST - Turlock Express vs San Diego Sockers @ Orleans Arena*
Thursday February 28th - 7:05PM CST - Dallas Sidekicks vs RGV Flash @ Allen Events Center*
*Immediately followed by 30-minute mini-game if necessary
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from February 19, 2013
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