Anaheim to close season with double header versus Tacoma
February 24, 2012 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Anaheim Bolts News Release
Anaheim, CA - (February 24th, 2012) - The Anaheim Bolts will finish their inaugural season with a double header versus the Tacoma Stars on Sunday at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena. Kick-off is slated for 1:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. PST.
The first match is a make-up game for the December 18th date that was postponed due to field issues. While both games are single admission, tickets for the December 18th game will be honored for the 1:00 P.M. kick off.
Despite being out of the playoffs, the Bolts (6-8) are looking for two more wins to sweep the Stars for the season and end their inaugural campaign with a respectable .500 record.
It will not be easy, however, as the first two games in Tacoma went down to the wire with the Bolts prevailing 12-10 and 12-11 just two weeks ago.
"Tacoma is a fierce team, that battles for every ball," notes Anaheim head coach Bernie Lilavois. "Not only do they have heart, but they also have some quality players."
On the travel roster for Tacoma this weekend are veterans Leighton O'Brien and Ian Weinberg.
O'Brien joined Tacoma this season from the Montreal Impact after an 11 year career which included stops in Major League Soccer with San Jose and Real Salt Lake. The Tacoma native also spent time in the Swedish second division and accumulated numerous titles and awards in the United Soccer Leagues, most notably with the Seattle Sounders. His impact was so great that the former MVP of the USL was named the 11th most influential player in the league over the last decade. O'Brien has three goals and four assists in six games this season, including one goal and three assist in the 12-11 loss to the Bolts.
Weinberg led Tacoma in scoring last year with 21 goals and 16 assists. The 30-year-old tops the Stars scoring charts again this season with 19 goals and five assist including a hat-trick in each of the games versus the Bolts.
For Anaheim, it's a chance for the players to make one last bow in front of their home fans this season. Leading scorer Hugo Casillas looks to continue his goal scoring exploits. El Matador has struck a hat-trick in each of his last three games. Adriano De Lima is also in sensational form, with four goals in each of his last two games.
Fans could also witness history as head coach Bernie Lilavois is just two points away from 1,000 for his illustrious career. If the Original Bolt decides to lose his suit and suit up, he may very well leave the fans with a lasting impression as they witness a milestone that very few have ever reached in the indoor game.
Asked if it would be hard to get his troops riled up for this weekend without anything on the line, Lilavois fired back, "Everything is on the line. There is plenty to play for. We want to finish with the best record possible and we want to give our fans the final sendoff they deserve. Our boys are professionals and they get up for any game no matter what's on the line. If not, they don't deserve to be here, but we have seen that with their heart, hustle and sacrifice this season, that everyone who suits up on Sunday has earned the right to wear the Bolts jersey. I am very proud of my squad and am sure I will be again come the end of the season on Sunday evening."
• Discuss this story on the Professional Arena Soccer League message board...
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from February 24, 2012
- Lightning Lose Game, Division Title, to Detroit, 9-8 - Louisville Lightning
- Anaheim to close season with double header versus Tacoma - Anaheim Bolts
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.
