Professional Arena Soccer League Update
January 14, 2014 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) News Release
Flash, Legends Riding High
1/14/14 - The Monterrey Flash (11-1) easily held serve at home against the Hidalgo La Fiera (9-2), 11-6 before 7,123 at Arena Monterrey on Sunday. The night before, the San Diego Sockers (7-3) nearly rallied from a 7-1 deficit, but lost 12-9 to the Las Vegas Legends (9-2) before 4,724 at the Valley View Casino Center.
That Las Vegas lost Sunday in Tijuana didn't diminish the successful weekend for the Legends, who had never beaten the Sockers despite two close calls. It was a landmark win for the franchise and came before a fired up crowd. San Diego sliced the 7-1 deficit to just 7-6 in the second half and later rallied from 9-6 to 9-8, but could not pull even.
Israel Sesay, who was recently acquired from the Ontario Fury, became Public Enemy #1 in San Diego when the Sockers fans thought he embellished two fouls. The fans booed him lustily the entire game every time he touched the ball.
In the other big game, featuring the Central Division's top two teams, the Flash jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Four different players had two goals each for the Flash who will meet Hidalgo for the final time this regular season on January 18 at State Farm Arena, which will conclude the Flash's road schedule. Monterrey will finish up with three home games against Texas, San Diego, and Saltillo.
In the Eastern Division, the Chicago Mustangs improved to 9-0 with a 13-1 rout of the Illinois Piasa and the Cleveland Freeze (9-3) kept pace with a 14-11 win over the Detroit Waza Flo. Both teams rallied from three goal deficits in the first half. Allen Eller tied a PASL record with seven assists and took over the league scoring lead with 41 points. Ironically, the Freeze have scored 40 goals in their last two games, and Eller hasn't scored any of them.
Player of the Week
Stefan Ostergren, Cleveland Freeze
The PASL veteran has spent time overseas in previous seasons, but has found a full-time home with the Freeze this season. Ostergren, 26, is riding 11 straight multi-point games and has 18 points in his last three games. His five goals (including three power play goals) and an assist against Detroit Saturday vaulted him into third place in the league's points race.
Kick Starters - Conversations you should be having about the PASL
Legends Get Gonzalez, Sobreira back
The Las Vegas Legends faced the Turlock Express last week with a full lineup for the first time since since November thanks to the returns of Felipe Gonzalez and Ricardo Sobreira. "Ricardinho" had a huge game against the Sockers with two goals and three assists and Gonzalez has six goals in three games back. With 19 goals, Gonzalez is only three off the league lead despite missing three games.
Wichita, Tulsa in Rare Pitchers' Duel
On Friday the Wichita B-52s beat the Tulsa Revolution 4-2, matching the lowest scoring game of the season. The game matched the B-52s previous game which also totaled just six goals, a 6-0 loss to Dallas.
Eller Can Dish it Out
Allen Eller was leading the PASL in goals before missing last game, but he didn't score again in Saturday's 14-11 win. What he did do was tie the PASL record for assists with seven helpers. Eller is only the second PASL player to reach seven assists in a game, joining Greg Howes who did it as a member of the Tacoma Stars in 2011.
The Week Ahead
Las Vegas Turlock Fri, Jan 17 7:05 pm Turlock IS
Cleveland Chicago Sat, Jan 18 5:05 pm Grand Sports
Dallas Tulsa Sat, Jan 18 6:05 pm Cox Business
Illinois Wichita Sat, Jan 18 7:05 pm Hartman Arena
Bay Area San Diego Sat, Jan 18 7:05 pm VV Casino Arena
Cincinnati Harrisburg Sat, Jan 18 7:05 pm Farm Show
Monterrey Hidalgo Sat, Jan 18 7:35 pm State Farm
Texas Saltillo Sat, Jan 18 8:05 pm Deportivo RSS
Bay Area Mexico Sun, Jan 19 1:05 pm Unisantos Park
San Diego Ontario Sun, Jan 19 4:05 pm Citizens Bank
Texas Monterrey Sun, Jan 19 5:05 pm Arena Monterrey
All times Eastern
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 14, 2014
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
