Heat Weekly

March 3, 2003 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Harrisburg Heat News Release


The Harrisburg Heat lost its only game of the week, dropping a 15-10 decision in Baltimore on Saturday night, to fall to 12-20 this season.

The Heat led 6-2 at one point in the second quarter, but the Blast proceeded to go on a 13-0 run through 6:31 of the fourth to take firm control of the contest. Ato Leone and Nikola Vignjevic both scored five points (two 2pgs, assist) for the Heat; the goals were the first in a Heat uniform for Vignjevic. Chris Damico made 15 saves on 22 shots in goal, taking the loss. Harrisburg played without defender Genoni Martinez (suspended).

The Heat and Blast ended their season series tied 3-3, but Harrisburg owns the tiebreaker, having outscored Baltimore 62-59 this season.

Harrisburg continues to cling to dwindling playoff hopes: both Baltimore and Cleveland can lock the Heat out with a combination of two wins and/or Heat losses. The Blast plays its final four games on the road, where the team is 4-10. Cleveland will play three of their final five games on the road, beginning this Tuesday in Dallas. The Force also plays the Heat one more time, on March 22 at the Farm Show.

Following this week's action, the Heat and the rest of the MISL will focus on the 2003 MISL All-Star Weekend in Milwaukee, WI. David Bascome, Ato Leone, Marco "Chikis" Lopez, Genoni Martinez, and Chris Morman will represent the Heat. The 2003 All-Star Game will kick off at the Bradley Center at 1:30 p.m. Central Time on Sunday.

THIS WEEK FOR THE HEAT:

Wednesday, March 5, Milwaukee Wave, Farm Show Arena, 10:35 a.m.

Having completed a month-long road trip, Harrisburg returns home this Wednesday morning to face the Milwaukee Wave for the team's first annual Got Milk? School Day Game. A host of area schools will participate in the event, designed to provide a unique mix of education and entertainment.

The Heat is 0-3 this season against Milwaukee, losing by scores of 19-13 (in Milwaukee on January 11), 15-6 (in Harrisburg on January 31), and 18-10 (in Milwaukee on February 15). Harrisburg has dropped 11 consecutive contests at the hands of the Wave, and has not defeated Milwaukee since a 14-10 win at the Old House on December 9, 2000.

HEAT, CLEVELAND SWING DEAL:

The Heat and Cleveland Force completed a deal on Monday that sends the rights to forward Zoran Karic to Cleveland in exchange for the rights to forward Clint Regier. Neither player has appeared in a game this season. Karic appeared on the Heat's designation list, as did Regier in Cleveland.

Karic, the second-leading scorer in League history with 1,705 points, spent 17 games with the Heat last season after being acquired from Cleveland. The Yugoslavian playmaker tallied seven goals and 29 assists for 42 points in a Heat uniform.

Regier, who earned a reputation as a pure goal-scorer during in his days in the now-defunct WISL with the Houston Hotshots and St. Louis Steamers, scored three goals and seven points in 12 games with Cleveland last season. Regier has not yet signed a contract with the Heat.

THIS WEEK'S ITINERARY:

Tuesday, March 4, Practice, Sports City Harrisburg, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 5, Heat vs. Milwaukee Wave, Farm Show Arena, 10:35 a.m.
Thursday, March 6, Practice, Farm Show Arena, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Friday, March 7, Practice, Farm Show Arena, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

*Heat Head Coach Erich Geyer will depart for the 2003 MISL All-Star Weekend in Milwaukee following Wednesday's game. In his absence, longtime Heat captain Bill Becher will run practice. Heat P.R. Director Phil Yerger will also be in Milwaukee from Wednesday-Sunday, but may be reached on his cell phone at 717-497-5315.

HEATERS ON THE MISL LEADERBOARD:

#40 David Bascome, F -
6th in the MISL with 80 points.
Tied for 2nd in the MISL with 36 total goals.
2nd in the MISL with 35 2pgs.
Leads the MISL with 13 power play goals.

#18 Marco Coria, MF -
Tied for 17th in the MISL with 54 points.

#17 Ato Leone, MF -
9th in the MISL with 70 points.
3rd in the MISL with 29 assists.

#3 Genoni Martinez, D -
11th in the MISL with 68 points.
Leads the MISL with 78 blocks.
2nd in the MISL with 199 shots.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 3, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central