Force players earn first MISL weekly honors with franchise

Published on April 11, 2005 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO- Cleveland Force defender Neil Gilbert and forward Aaron Susi were selected as the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week respectively for the seven-day period ending April 10.

Gilbert, who was acquired by the Force in a trade with Baltimore on March 29, earns his second MISL Weekly honor but his first with Cleveland. He was also selected on October 18, 2004 as a member of the Blast. Neil recorded his first points with the Force as he tallied two goals and three assists in three games last week. The 34-year-old native of Buenos Aires, Argentina registered a total of three points in a 4-3 win over Kansas City last Thursday and a 7-6 loss to Baltimore on Friday, then unleashed an excellent all-around effort in a 10-8 win over St. Louis on Sunday. The 6-0, 180-pounder recorded an assist, blocked three shots, and scored the game-winner at 3:59 of the fourth quarter against the Steamers. He also assisted on Susi's game-winner against the Comets on Thursday.

Susi, who made his Force debut on February 19th after being released by St. Louis, earns his first Offensive Player of the Week award this season. Typically a finisher, Aaron assumed the role of playmaker for Cleveland last week. The 6-4, 180-pound target man scored a goal and notched five assists in three games. He made his lone goal count, scoring the game-winner at 2:13 of the fourth quarter against Kansas City last Thursday. Susi registered an assist against Baltimore on Friday, and then tallied three more helpers in Sunday's 10-8 victory over St. Louis. For good measure, Susi recorded three saves-including a stop on a Joe Reiniger shootout attempt-while starting goalkeeper Bayard Elfvin served a penalty in the fourth quarter. Susi has now scored 11 goals and 19 points in 13 games with Cleveland this season.

Neil and Aaron join forward and team captain John Ball, defender Matt Johnson, goalkeeper Jim Larkin and defender Genoni Martinez join as the other Force players honored by the MISL this season. Ball has been named Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions while Johnson garnered the Defensive Player of the Week on February 7. Larkin has been tabbed as Goalkeeper of the Week on four occasions and Martinez has been honored as Defensive Player of the Week twice.

The Force will next play host to the expansion Chicago Storm on Friday, April 15th at the Wolstein Convocation Center. The game can be heard live on WHK 1420 AM in Cleveland as well as 1440 AM WHKW in Warren/Youngstown or worldwide on the Internet at www.thesportsking.com starting at 7:35 p.m.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from April 11, 2005


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