Dizzy Antoniuk selected to All-MISL First Team
Published on April 23, 2008 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
Newark, N.J. (Wednesday, April 23, 2008) - The Major Indoor Soccer League announced the 2007-08 All-MISL Teams today, and New Jersey Ironmen forward "Dizzy" Dan Antoniuk was selected to the All-League First Team. Antoniuk is the second postseason award winner for the expansion New Jersey Ironmen along with forward Frederico Moojen, who was selected to the MISL All-Rookie Team last week.
"Coming into this season, all I thought about was doing my best to help my team win," Antoniuk stated after being notified of his selection. "I don't want to say that I'm surprised of my success this season because you always give yourself high expectations, but I am extremely happy that I was able to help my team as much as I did."
Ironmen Head Coach Omid Namazi was also pleased with the effort he received from the Philadelphia native.
"Dizzy is a player that we immediately looked towards for offensive production, and we anticipated a good season from him," Namazi remarked. "Overall, he still surpassed everyone's expectations."
Antoniuk finished the season with 88 points, which was fourth-best in the MISL. His 39 two-point goals led the league this season, as did his six game-winning goals. His 11 assists were third-highest for the Ironmen, and he also added 11 blocks to the defensive cause.
Antoniuk, known by Ironmen fans simply as "Dizzy", commented on what he attributes to his success.
"When you get down to it, it's all about attitude," he said. "You have to push yourself everyday to make what you do have purpose, and you have to bring the same approach to training that you do to a game. I always train with intensity, and I feel that prepares me for games."
Antoniuk played collegiately at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. He left the school as the all-time leader in goals (54), assists (36) and points (144). The three-time All-Conference selection was named the 2000 NEWMAC Player of the Year after breaking the Wheaton College single-season records in goals (54), assists (36) and points (49). He then began his indoor career with the Milwaukee Wave before making a few stops en route to Newark.
Antoniuk started his professional outdoor career with the Portland Timbers of the USL-1, and he spent last season with the Atlanta Silverbacks. He led the league in scoring last year with 23 points, and the USL MVP finalist led the league with nine assists to compliment his seven goals. He reflected on how his success in Atlanta attributed to his All-Star season in the MISL.
"I was feeling really confident about how I was playing, and that momentum carried over into the indoor season," he stated. "You always have to believe in yourself, but it takes a lot more than just saying it. You have to prepare and work to truly succeed."
Antoniuk is currently in Cary, North Carolina, playing for the Carolina Railhawks of the USL-1. His Railhawks host Ironmen defender Lazo Alavanja and the Charleston Battery this Saturday.
The 2007-08 MISL season will conclude this Saturday in the Championship Series Final between La Raza de Monterrey and the Baltimore Blast. The two clubs are set to battle at U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee in a one-game final with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. The game will be aired live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from April 23, 2008
- Three Blast Players Named All-MISL - Baltimore Blast
- Dizzy Antoniuk selected to All-MISL First Team - New Jersey Ironmen
- Two Wave stars on All-MISL teams - Milwaukee Wave
- Beasley, Callahan and Waltman receive First and Second Team All-MISL honors - Detroit Ignition
- Ignition Weekly - Detroit Ignition
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