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Heat Weekly

October 14, 2002 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Harrisburg Heat News Release


The Harrisburg Heat continued a season-opening four-game road trip by going 1-1 this past weekend to move to 1-2 on the year, entering the week tied with the Cleveland Force for third in the MISL's Eastern Conference.

On Friday night in San Diego, the Heat recorded its first-ever victory under new head coach Erich Geyer, riding a 23-save performance from keeper Doug Petras to a 13-7 win over the Sockers. Harrisburg was down 4-2 at halftime, but used a 9-0 third-quarter run to assume the lead for good. Matt Tanzini's long 3pg at 12:10 of the third incited the rally, and Chris Morman's 2pg at 4:56 of the fourth served as the game-winner. Marco Coria led the Heat with two 2pgs for 4 points.

On Saturday, the Heat battled back from a 7-2 halftime deficit and closed to within 9-8 at one point in the third, but the host Dallas Sidekicks held Harrisburg off for a 16-10 win. Nick Stavrou's 3pg at 4:12 of the fourth proved to be the deciding score. Raul Salas took the loss in his first Heat start, recording 5 saves. Marco Coria wrapped up a nice weekend with 5 points (2pg, 3 assists), scoring or assisting on four of the Heat's five goals. Harrisburg outshot Dallas 35-23 in the game and converted 2-3 power play opportunities.

PETRAS IS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

For the second time in as many weeks, a Harrisburg Heat player has received weekly honors from the MISL: this week, goalkeeper Doug Petras has been named the MISL's Defensive Player of the Week. David Bascome was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week last week after scoring four goals in the Heat's season opener in Philadelphia.

The 30-year old backstop played brilliantly in Friday's 13-7 Heat win over the Sockers, stopping 23 of 26 shots, including 15 in the first half alone. Petras lowered his points against average to 9.07 in the win, and now ranks fourth in the league in that category; he also leads the MISL in save percentage with a remarkable .810 mark.

Petras, the Heat's all-time goalkeeping leader in every major statistical category, has now won weekly honors nine times in his career (including three times last season), more than any other Heater in history. Petras needs only three more wins to reach 100 for his career.

THIS WEEK FOR THE HEAT:

NO GAMES THIS WEEKEND

Harrisburg will use an off weekend to prepare for its next game, on Saturday, October 26 in Baltimore against the archrival Blast. Game time at 1st Mariner Arena will be 7:35 p.m.

But the Heat will see plenty of action this weekend in a pair of high-profile public appearances, both this Saturday, October 19. From 11:00 - 1:00, the Heat will appear at the grand opening of IFR Furniture Rentals, on 7035 Jonestown Road in Harrisburg. Also from 11:00 - 1:00, Heat players will be out at Lamberton Middle School off the Hanover Street Exit of I-81. In both appearances, Heaters will sign autographs and demonstrate skills.

ODDS AND ENDS:

Erich Geyer's fondness for physical fitness is paying dividends so far; the Heat has been outscored 17-6 in the first half of games this year, but has outscored opponents 27-17 in the second half. Harrisburg has trailed at the half in each of its first three games, but in all three contests has made a spirited second-half run to close the gap.

The Heat's specialty units have also shone brightly through the first three games. The Heat is 4-7 on the power play (57.1%, fourth in the league) and is a perfect 3-3 in penalty killing to lead the MISL. Harrisburg has also scored two restart goals while allowing none.

On the other hand, Harrisburg has already allowed two shorthanded goals, the most in the league. The Heat allowed no shorthanded goals in 2001-02.

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