MISL Baltimore Blast

Blast to Host Monterrey Fury, Receive 2003 Championship Rings on Saturday

Published on November 4, 2003 under Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Baltimore Blast News Release


Blast Set to Begin a Three-Game Home Stretch: The Baltimore Blast is back at home this Saturday night for the first of three consecutive home games at 1st Mariner Arena. This Saturday the Blast will host the expansion Monterrey Fury for the first time ever. On Friday, November 14 the Cleveland Force will come to town and the following Friday, November 21, the Blast will take on the San Diego Sockers and former Blast players, Sean Bowers and Paul Wright.

Championship Ring Night:

The Blast players will be presented with their 2003 MISL Championship rings during a pregame ceremony on the field this Saturday night before the game against the Monterrey Fury. Current players, along with Lance Johnson, Danny Santoro, Kyle Swords and former head coach Bobby McAvan, will receive their championship rings. The first 3,000 fans who enter 1st Mariner Arena on Saturday will receive a free 2003 championship pin.

This Week's Schedule:
Monday, November 3, Practice, Du Burns Arena, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, November 4, Practice, Du Burns Arena, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, November 5, Practice, Du Burns Arena, 10 a.m.
Thursday, November 6, Practice, 1st Mariner Arena, noon
Friday, November 7, Practice, 1st Mariner Arena, 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 8, Blast vs. Monterrey Fury, 1st Mariner Arena, 7:35 p.m.
*all times are subject to change, to confirm times and locations, call the Blast office at 410-558-4294

Injury Report:
Player Injury Status
Scott Hileman Shoulder Probable
Tarik Walker Back Questionable
Rich Daughtridge Ankle Out

Nasty Nice Guy Awards:

Blast leading scorer Denison Cabral will receive the 2003 Nasty Nice Guy Award this Friday night at the seventh annual WNST Nasty Nice Guy Awards banquet. This year's banquet, honoring Cabral, Chris Redman of the Ravens and Larry Bigbie of the Orioles, will be held at Michael's 8th Avenue in Glen Burnie and will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Former Blast Nice Guy recipients include Barry Stitz, Lance Johnson, Doug Neely, Billy Ronson and Tarik Walker.

Denison Flips for Charity:

Denison Cabral and the Blast have initiated the "Denison Flips for Charity" program to assist the fundraising efforts of local charities. The team will raffle off four Denison Cabral jerseys throughout the 2003-04 MISL season with all the proceeds going to local charitable organizations. Raffle tickets are available at every home Blast game between now and April 2. Blast fans will be able to purchase a $2 raffle ticket at a designated table on the Arena stage. For $5 fans can purchase three raffle tickets. The winning raffle tickets will be chosen during the Blast games on November 21, January 9, February 21 and April 2.

From 2-3 to the Championship:

With a 2-3 record the 2003-04 Blast know better things lie ahead. The 2003 MISL Champion Baltimore Blast team also started the season with a 2-3 record and a 6-12 record at the midpoint of the season. After two coaching changes and 15 losses, the Blast won eight of the last 11 to turn the season around at the very end. The Blast went on to defeat the Cleveland Force and Philadelphia KiXX in the first and second rounds of the playoffs, respectively, to advance to the MISL Finals for the first time in more than a decade. Baltimore then defeated the Milwaukee Wave, two-games-to-one, to win the MISL Championship.

Feeling Right at Home:

Blast newcomer David Bascome has recorded at least one point in each of the five games he has played in for Baltimore. In his Blast debut on October 11, he recorded an assist and has continued to score for the Blast ever since. He has four goals and four assists so far on the season and is tied with Denison Cabral to lead the Blast with eight points. He is also tied for fifth in the MISL in points. In his 13th professional season, Bascome ranks 16th in NPSL/MISL history with 927 points and is just 16 points from moving into the 15th spot.

Most Recently:

The Blast fell behind 6-0 to the Philadelphia KiXX last Saturday night then battled back to cut the deficit in half before the game ended, 9-4, in favor of the KiXX. Kevin Sloan scored early and often for the KiXX and led all players with five points on the night. Denison Cabral led the Blast with two goals and David Bascome and Chris Handsor each added a goal for Baltimore. In his first game back in Philadelphia since being traded to Baltimore, Handsor recoded one goal and one assist against his former teammates. Backup goalkeeper Karim Moumban made his second-consecutive start for the injured Scott Hileman. The KiXX now lead the season series against the Blast, 2-0. Upcoming Milestones:

Player Milestone Needs
Lee Tschantret 900 career points 4
Tarik Walker 700 career points 19

Blast MISL Leaders (as of 11/5/03): Denison Cabral Tied 5th – points - 8 Tied 2nd – goals - 6

David Bascome Tied 5th – points - 8

For Tickets:

Blast season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets are on sale now by calling the Blast office at 410-732-5278. Tickets cost $20, $17 and $14 and are available at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 410-481-SEAT or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information on all Blast tickets or upcoming promotions, call the Blast office at 410-73-BLAST.

BLAST RECORD:
Overall: 2-3
Home: 2-1
Road: 0-2
vs. Eastern Division Opponents: 0-2
vs. Central Division Opponents: 1-1
vs. Western Division Opponents: 1-0

RECENT RESULTS:
11/1 @ Philadelphia KiXX -- L, 9-4

UPCOMING GAMES:
11/8 vs. Monterrey Fury – 7:35 pm ET

Check out the Baltimore Blast Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from November 4, 2003


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.

OurSports Central