Heat Weekly

Published on December 16, 2002 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Harrisburg Heat News Release


The Harrisburg Heat went 1-1 in two more overtime games this weekend, losing 12-10 in Baltimore on Friday night, and defeating San Diego 14-12 at the Farm Show on Saturday. Harrisburg is now 7-9 on the year.

Harrisburg trailed for the bulk of the game on Friday, but as has been customary for the team this year, late dramatics sent the game to overtime. Marco Coria and Genoni Martinez scored sixth-attacker 2pgs at 12:44 and 14:06 of the fourth quarter, respectively, to tie the game at 10-10 and force the extra session. Baltimore's Billy Nelson ultimately scored the game-winner at 3:30 of OT. Coria scored twice for the Heat, while Marco Lopez assisted on a pair of goals. Doug Petras made 14 saves in the loss as the Heat fell to 2-2 against Baltimore this year.

Another exciting finish awaited the Heat on Saturday, as the team recovered from a 10-6 fourth-quarter deficit to eventually take a 14-12 victory thanks to David Bascome's 2pg at 5:04 of overtime. Lopez shouldered the offensive burden in clutch time, scoring three of his four goals in the final five minutes of regulation (9:33, 12:03, and the tying goal at 14:07). Lopez finished with eight points on the night. Defender Chris Morman also contributed with a pair of goals, and Petras made 5 saves in the win. Harrisburg outshot San Diego 45-22 in the contest.

WEEKLY HONORS FOR "THE LITTLE ONE:"

By virtue of his ten-point weekend, Marco "Chikis" Lopez has been named the MISL Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced today.

The 32-year old Lopez assisted on two goals in Baltimore on Friday night, but he saved his best performance for the limelight on Saturday: the diminutive forward scored four goals, including three in the final five minutes of regulation, to drive the Heat to a 14-12 overtime win against San Diego. At 9:33 of the fourth, Lopez coolly slotted home a two-point restart goal to bring the Heat to within 10-8, and at 12:03 he forced a San Diego turnover, moved to the top of the box, and skimmed a rocket past Sockers keeper Nick Vorberg to tie it at 10-10. After the Sockers reclaimed a 12-10 lead, Lopez fought for a loose ball to the left of the crease, muscled through a pair of defenders, and poked home a 2pg at 14:07 to send the game to overtime.

"The Little One" is beginning to make his mark in the MISL after eight stellar seasons in the CISL/WISL, where he amassed 196 goals and 375 points in only 178 games. Over his last ten games, Lopez has scored 11 goals and assisted on 9 others for 31 points.

Lopez joins David Bascome (Offensive, October 7) and Doug Petras (Defensive, October 14) as Heaters to win MISL weekly honors this season.

THIS WEEK FOR THE HEAT:

With no games scheduled this weekend, Coach Erich Geyer has given his team the week off to enjoy the holiday season. The team will return to practice at Sports City Harrisburg next Monday.

AMATEUR DRAFT TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW:

The MISL will hold its 2002 Amateur Draft tomorrow, Tuesday, December 17. The draft will be conducted via teleconference beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST.

The five-round event will open with a territorial round followed by four standard rounds of selections. A club's territorial pick must either be a permanent resident of the club's home state and played high school and/or youth soccer in the state; have attended college for a minimum of two years in the club's home state; or have been born in and played high school and/or youth soccer in the club's home state.

Because selection order is based upon each club's winning percentage from their previous season of play, the Heat will hold the first pick in each round of the draft. The Cleveland Force will make the most picks in the draft, thanks to previous trades with Kansas City and Dallas that have given the Force three first-round selections.

Results from the draft will be available tomorrow afternoon.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"It's all part of the game we play. When the team is working very hard, I'm out there working very hard, too. Anyone can score. Tonight, they were mine." - Marco "Chikis" Lopez (through interpreter Ato Leone) after his four-goal performance against San Diego on Saturday night.

HEATERS ON THE MISL LEADERBOARD:
#40 David Bascome, F -
3rd in the MISL with 48 points.
Leads the MISL lead with 22 total goals.
Leads the MISL with 22 2pgs.
Leads the MISL with 9 power play goals.
Tied for 2nd in the MISL with 3 restart goals.

#18 Marco Coria, MF -
Tied for 17th in the MISL with 29 points.
4th in the MISL with 12 assists.

#17 Ato Leone, MF -
Tied for 3rd in the MISL with 13 assists.

#20 Marco Lopez, F -
Tied for 11th in the MISL with 32 points.

#3 Genoni Martinez, D -
7th in the MISL with 37 points.
3rd in the MISL with 35 blocks.
2nd in the MISL with 117 shots.
Tied for 3rd in the MISL with 3 restart goals.

#39 Doug Petras, GK -
5th in the MISL with a 11.28 PAA.
2nd in the MISL with 195 saves.
4th in the MISL with 792 minutes played.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from December 16, 2002


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