Cougars Host Open Cup Tournament
November 19, 2008 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
California Cougars News Release
STOCKTON, CA - November 19, 2008 - The Stockton Cougars, of the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro), will host the 2008 United States Arena Soccer Open Cup regional tournament at Stockton Arena on November 22, 2008. The winner of the six team tournament will advance to play the Cougars on December 20, 2008 at Stockton Arena.
Fans interested in attending the tournament must purchase a ticket to Stockton's home match that same night starting at 7:15 pm against the Denver Dynamite. The paid ticket is to be presented to Stockton Arena officials at the North entrance and will admit fans to both the US Open Cup tournament and Stockton's highly anticipated match against Denver.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Cougars front office at (209) 373-1550 or by visiting www.stocktoncougars.net. Tickets are also available at the Alpine Meats ticket window located at the North Entrance of Stockton Arena. Ticket prices range from $10.00 to $25.00.
Off The Wall Soccer - Santa Clara, the Sacramento Scorpions, Chico Bigfoot and the Turlock Express have all qualified for the tournament. The Express is the official development team of the Cougars and currently play in the Premier Arena Soccer League's Pacific Division.
The US Arena Open Cup began with local events and tournaments running from October 18 to November 16, 2008. Saturday's tournament is part of the Regional Event format that will produce opponents for PASL-Pro teams across the country. The Cougars are scheduled to host the winner of the tournament on December 20, 2008 as part of the elimination play round. Winners of the elimination play round advance to the Final Four and eventually the championship match on February 16, 2009 at The Game Arena in Glen Carbon, IL.
The Professional Arena Soccer League champion will be crowned at Stockton Arena on March 15, 2009. The finals tournament begins on March 13, 2009 and concludes with the champion being crowned at the end of the three day tournament. The PASL-Pro championship is a separate tournament from the US Arena Open Cup championship.
Tournament passes to the PASL-Pro championship are available through the Cougars front office: (209) 373-1550.
Denver (3-3 overall, 2-2 conference) is currently coached by former Cougars forward Chris Handsor. He has guided his team to two consecutive wins since taking over as head coach on November 12, 2008. Garth Archibald, who debuted with the Cougars on March 16, 2008 against Baltimore, is also a member of the Dynamite.
The Cougars (2-0) are led by director of soccer operations, head coach and forward Bernie Lilavois. His team has not lost a match since last season's road loss to Chicago (25-17) on March 28, 2008. Dating back to last season, Stockton has won five consecutive matches (including their November 9, 2008 friendly against San Diego).
The Cougars most recently defeated the Wenatchee Fire 15-7 at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, WA.
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from November 19, 2008
- Cougars Host Open Cup Tournament - California Cougars
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