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Chicago Storm Weekly: Larkin reaches 3,000 saves

January 29, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release


HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - On Friday, Jan. 25, the Chicago Storm defeated the Detroit Ignition at the Sears Centre Arena, 9-2. Chicago's Matthew Stewart netted two first-half goals, both in the second quarter. At the time, the victory gave the Storm a share of first place with the Ignition at 11-5. But on Sunday, Jan. 27, the Milwaukee Wave scored six unanswered goals en route to a 19-9 victory at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The loss bumps the Storm into third place, leaving them one game behind Detroit. Stewart leads the Storm in points with 37. He has scored at least one goal per game in his six-game stretch for a total of 20 points and nine goals.

Next up for the Storm (11-6) is an away match against the Baltimore Blast at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, and the game broadcasts live on Fox Soccer Channel. This will be the first meeting of the season between Chicago and Baltimore. Chicago then hosts New Jersey at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. The match, which broadcasts on tape delay on Fox Soccer Channel, marks the second game between the Storm and Ironmen. Chicago suffered an 18-16 loss to New Jersey on Nov. 17, 2007.

- Points leaders: Two Storm players rank in the MISL's top 20 in points. Matthew Stewart is tied for ninth place in MISL points with 37. Stewart leads the Storm with 16 goals this season (all two-pointers) and five assists. Carlos "Chile" Farias is tied for 18th place with 33 points. Farias has 11 goals (two three-pointers) and nine assists.

- Hidden accomplishment: While a 19-9 loss won't garner much positive attention to a defense or its goalkeeper, veteran Jim Larkin reached a significant milestone Sunday against Milwaukee. The Chicago goalkeeper made 19 saves, the last of which gave him 3,000 career regular-season saves.

- Riding a new wave: It has been a roller coaster ride for the Blast this season. Baltimore opened the 2007-08 season with a five-game winning streak, followed by a five-game losing streak. The Blast currently are in the midst of a three-game winning stretch and sit 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Detroit Ignition.

- Blast from the past: Chicago's Chile Farias helped the Blast win the MISL championship in 2003-04, playing in 35 games for Baltimore that season. Farias ranked first in the league with 43 assists and third in points with 65. He was named to the MISL All-Star Team and to the All-MISL First Team.

- Last time against New Jersey: After winning their first three games, the Storm suffered their first loss of the 2007-08 season to the New Jersey Ironmen. The tight match went to overtime, where the Ironmen's Dan Antoniuk netted a two-point goal for the New Jersey victory. The Ironmen (10-7) now find themselves one game behind the Storm as they travel to the Sears Centre this Saturday.

- Familiar faces: Storm forward Stephen Armstrong was teammates with New Jersey goalkeeper Tony Meola when they played for Major League Soccer's Kansas City Wizards. Armstrong was with the Wizards from 2002-04 and Meola from 1999-2004. ... New Jersey midfielder Lazo Alavanja made his MISL debut with the Storm in 2004-05.

The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Chicago's professional indoor soccer team plays its home games at the Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. Storm offices also are located in the Sears Centre. For additional information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and Chicago Storm Summer Soccer Camps, call (866) STORM-81 or go to ChicagoStorm.net.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 29, 2008


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.

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