California Cougars Game Notes
November 17, 2007 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
California Cougars News Release
California Cougars Game Notes
Detroit Ignition (2-1) v. California Cougars (1-1)
Saturday Nov. 17th, 2007 | 7:15PM | Stockton Arena (
Media:
Internet Stream: www.californiacougars.net
KTNC-TV42, Tape Delay to air 11/24 at 2:00PM
(Spanish Broadcast)
Officials:
Mock, Kelly
Dehpanah, Kia
Kampmeinert, Mike
Arblaster, Colin
Injuries:
CAL: Vicente Figueroa - OUT-IR - Knee
CAL: Semir Mesanovic - Probable - Hand
CAL: Matt Caution - Probable - Wrist
CAL: Evan McNeley - Probable - Ankle
CAL: Brian Farber - Probable - Knee
CAL: Ryan Hall - Probable - Head
DET: Ze Roberto - Doubtful - Foot
DET: Droo Callahan - Probable - Knee
The Match-Up:
The Cougars posted 1-5 records against all MISL teams except the Ignition last season. But, they were an even 3-3 against the MISL runner ups from last year, including a perfect 3-0 home record. That Ignition squad was led by reigning MISL MVP Jamar Beasley and goalkeeper Sanaldo. The Cougars traded their rights to the second pick in the 2007 MISL Expansion draft to the Ignition for the star goalkeeper before the beginning of the current season. Sanaldo is coming off a dominating 15 save performance against Monterrey last Saturday night (Nov. 10). He earned the goalkeeper of the week award for his efforts in the win.
Sanaldo, Beasley and current Ignition leading scorer, former Cougar, Ricardinho (14pts, 6 2pg, 2a) will occupy most of the spotlight in the game. However, some attention needs to be focused on Cougar midfielder/forward Brian Farber. Farber recorded three hat-tricks last season, including back-to-back hat-tricks against the Ignition on back-to-back nights, 3/23, 3/24/2007. "Farbs" scored four goals and two assists against the Ignition on 3/24, resulting in a career high 10 points scored in the game. He finished the season with 25 points, five assists and four blocks against Detroit.
MISL Week 5 Games:
Friday 11/16: (PST)
Monterrey at Baltimore, 8:00PM TV: FSC
MON. 9, BAL. 12
Saturday 11/17: (PST)
Detroit at California, 7:15PM
New Jersey at Chicago, 5:00PM
Orlando at Milwaukee, 3:00PM
Monterrey at Philadelphia, 4:05PM
Upcoming Milestones:
California:
Enrique Tovar: 93 career points through 11/13/07
Enrique Tovar: 42 career goals through 11/13/07
Ryan Hall: 89 blocks as a Cougar through 11/13/07
Ryan Hall: 109 career blocks through 11/13/07
Chris Handsor: 162 career assists through 11/13/07
Ignition Profile:
2nd year of existence
Owner/Investor: John Hantz
Director of Soccer Opeartions: Mark Pulisic
Team Colors: Red, Yellow, Grey and Black
Home Arena: Compuware Arena (3,504)
Head Coach: Bob Lilley
Lilly was recently brought in as the head coach of the Ignition after the promotion of former head coach Mark Pulisic to Director of Soccer Operations... Lilley spent nine years as a head coach in the United Soccer League (A-League/First Division). He led his teams into the playoffs all nine years, reaching the finals twice and winning the USL Championship with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2006. Lilley's overall record, including playoffs and U.S. Open Cup matches, stands at 163-88-40. Lilley's playing career spanned 12 years, including six years with the National Professional Soccer League's Harrisburg Heat (1991-97).
Ignition Notes:
Detroit made it to the 2007 MISL Championship in their first year of existence. They lost to the Philadelphia KiXX on their home turf in the finals, 13-8... The Ignition finished with the best regular season record in the MISL at 18-12... Forward Jamar Beasley led the MISL in scoring with 107 points, including 5 3PG, 35 2PG, and 22A... He finished his MVP season (Hector Marinaro Award) with 40 total goals... Also earning post season awards were head coach Mark Pulisic (Coach of the Year) and defender Nate Craft (All Rookie Team)... Defender Jonathan Greenfield was name to the 2006-07 All-MISL Second team, he spent the off season playing for the USL's Minnesota Thunder with Brian Farber... The Ignition used their second round pick to select former Cougar forward Ricardinho in the 2006 Expansion Draft... Sanaldo was taken with the first pick in that same draft... Midfielder Vahid Assadpour was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 Amatuer Draft out of University of Detroit-Mercy.
Cougars Profile:
3rd year of existence
Owner/Investors: Jim Rachels, Greg Toy, Rick Toy
Director of Soccer Operations: Bernie Lilavois
Team Colors: Red, Gold, Black
Home Arena: Stockton Arena (10,000)
Head Coach: Bernie Lilavois
Lilavois begins his third season with the Cougars, and his first full season as Head Coach. He took over command of the team after his retirement on 2/10/07 immediately after the Stars of Mexico event. He recorded 19 assists and 12 two-point goals for a total of 43 points despite retiring after 19 games played in the 2006-07 season. Those 19 assists held throughout the remaining 11 game schedule, making Lilavois the team leader at seasons end. He is the Cougars all time assists leader with 30 assists in two season played. His 43 points ranked as the fifth highest scoring total on the Cougars roster. His final official game in the MISL was against the Philadelphia KiXX on 2/7/07. He finished with three points including an assist and a power play goal. Nicknamed "The Bolt," he amassed 423 goals, 241 assists for 877 points in 357 MISL/NPSL career games. His professional indoor career covered 15 seasons.
Cougars Notes:
The Cougars are coming off quite possibly their most dominating regular season performance ever after beating Monterrey 20-10 on November 10. The Cougars hit the 20 point plateau for the second time in franchise history, and scored a total of 9 goals, one short of the franchise record... The Cougars scored 10 goals in a 21-14 against the Detroit Ignition on 2/3/07 in Stockton... Former Cougar Aaron Susi led the way with four goals in that game... Enrique Tovar has scored his two career three-point goals in each game that the Cougars have hit 20 points or more... California has outscored Detroit 51-36 in Stockton for all three of their victories against the Ignition... Detroit has outscored the Cougars 60-31 in the home arena.
The Targets:
Cougar forward Naldo made his MISL debut one to remember with two two-point goals and an assist against Monterrey... Naldo was unable to play against the Chicago Storm on October 27th because of VISA issues... Forward Chris Handsor equaled Naldo in the points category, after posting the same scoring line... Handsor has two goals, and two assists this season in two games played, for a total of six points.
An Emotional Night:
It will be an emotional night for the Enrique "Qeeks" Tovar... Tovar's grandmother, Bernadina Padilla, passed away earlier this week after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Tough Turnaround:
The Cougars won't have much rest after this match-up with the Ignition... California travels to Orlando on Tuesday for their Wednesday match with the expansion Sharks... The game will recorded by Fox Soccer Channel and aired the following Friday at 8:00PM ET, 5:00PM PT.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from November 17, 2007
- Wave Cruise Past Sharks, 16-7 - Milwaukee Wave
- Antoniuk completes hat trick for thrilling overtime win - New Jersey Ironmen
- KiXX defeat La Raza, 15-13, for first win of 2007-08 season - Philadelphia KiXX
- California Cougars Game Notes - California Cougars
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