Forward P.J. Wakefield Named 2003 MISL Rookie of the Year
April 23, 2003 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Baltimore Blast News Release
Baltimore, MD â The Major Indoor Soccer League announced today that rookie P.J. Wakefield was named the 2003 Rookie of the Year. Wakefield, a graduate of UMBC, was the Blast's First-Round selection in the 2002 MISL Amateur Draft.
"P.J. had an unbelievable season, being a member of the Blast Championship Team, being selected to the All-Star Game and now rightfully being selected by the MISL as the Rookie of the Year," said Blast General Manager Kevin Healey. "As an organization, we are proud to have our second straight rookie of the year and look forward to a bright future."
Wakefield, 22, recorded 62 points in 36 regular-season games to rank third on the Blast in points. In the five playoff games that led to the Blast winning the 2003 MISL Championship, Wakefield scored five goals and added one assist for 11 points to rank third on the team in postseason scoring. The only rookie in the 2003 MISL All-Star Game, Wakefield recorded two goals and was the East Team's leading scorer. In his MISL debut on October 5th, Wakefield scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Baltimore's 14-6 victory over the Cleveland Force.
Wakefield follows teammate Billy Nelson who was last season's MISL Rookie of the Year. The MISL postseason awards were voted on by MISL member teams' management and selected members of the media from each city.
The Baltimore Blast defeated the Milwaukee Wave, two-games-to-one to claim the 2003 MISL Championship. After losing Game One, 19-12, in Milwaukee, the Blast defeated the Wave, 15-12, at 1st Mariner Arena in Game Two and again, 13-12, on April 18th at the Bradley Center to win the Championship.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from April 23, 2003
- Wave Lands Five to All-MISL Teams - Milwaukee Wave
- Forward P.J. Wakefield Named 2003 MISL Rookie of the Year - Baltimore Blast
- Defender Sean Bowers Recognized Among League's Best - Baltimore Blast
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