Back to the grind: Storm head to Philly for KiXX's School Day Game

February 12, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release


HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - A week removed from their own School Day Game, the Chicago Storm battle in a similar environment Wednesday morning. Only this time, it counts again.

After battling the American Indoor Soccer League's Rockford Rampage to two exhibition victories, the Storm head to Philadelphia for a 9:35 a.m. (CST) match Wednesday, Feb. 13, against the defending Major Indoor Soccer League champion KiXX at the Wachovia Spectrum. The morning match is to accommodate the KiXX's annual School Day Game.

Wednesday's game is the Storm's first MISL match since they earned their first victory against the expansion New Jersey Ironmen, 15-4, on Feb. 2 at the Sears Centre Arena. Chicago is in a three-way tie for second place with a 12-7 record, one game behind the first-place Milwaukee Wave. The Detroit Ignition and Baltimore Blast also share 12-7 records.

STORM UPDATE

Points leaders: Three Storm players rank in the MISL's top 20 in points. Matthew Stewart is 12th with 41 points, and he leads the Storm with 18 goals (all two-pointers). Stephen Armstrong is tied for 16th with 38 points. Armstrong has 14 goals (an MISL-leading eight three-pointers) and two assists. Carlos "Chile" Farias is 18th with 37 points. Farias has 11 goals (two three-pointers) and 13 assists.

Road test: This week marks a scheduling test for the road-heavy Storm. Philadelphia's 9:35 a.m. start Wednesday is for the KiXX's 13th annual School Day Game. Then on Friday, Feb. 15, Chicago heads out west to take on the California Cougars for a 10 p.m. (CST) match. Seven of the Storm's remaining 11 regular-season matches are on the road.

Heated competition: The AISL's Rockford Rampage proved to be a challenge against the MISL's second-place Storm. Rockford clinched the regular-season AISL title when it defeated Cincinnati on Feb. 2. The Rampage host the AISL championship match March 15.

Larkin honored: Last Wednesday, Storm goalkeeper Jim Larkin was named co-MISL goalkeeper of the week with Milwaukee's Marcel Feenstra. The Storm garnered the award for a second straight week, following Jeff Richey's co-MISL goalkeeper honor. Last Saturday, Larkin added to his 3,000 save total by turning away 13 of 15 shots en route to a 15-4 victory against the New Jersey Ironmen at the Sears Centre. Larkin is 4-3 this season in seven starts. He is allowing 11.75 points per match and he has a save percentage of 0.699.

KIXX UPDATE

Defensive stronghold: Philadelphia defenseman Pat Morris was named MISL Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 27. The KiXX captain has 14 POW honors in his nine-year career. Morris leads Philadelphia with 25 blocks and three power-play goals, is tied for the team lead with 21 games played, and he is second with 33 points.

Tightening things up: On Saturday, Feb. 9, the KiXX defeated the first-place Milwaukee Wave, 12-8. Thanks to the Milwaukee loss, the Storm, Baltimore Blast and Detroit Ignition are now in a three-way tie for second place, one game behind the Wave. Eight of the nine MISL teams are within 5 1/2 games of each other.

KiXX vs. Storm, head-to-head: The Storm carry an 11-7 record overall against Philadelphia in the regular season. This season, Chicago has posted a 9-2 victory at Philadelphia on Dec. 8, 2007, and a 14-8 home victory Jan. 18, live on Fox Soccer Channel. In that match, the Storm's Ian Bennett and Matthew Stewart each contributed two goals and an assist.

The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 12, 2008


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