KiXX climb standings on heels of Pappas shutout against Baltimore

January 7, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release


Philadelphia, PA, January 7, 2008 - The defending MISL Champion Philadelphia KiXX split the weekend series between Milwaukee and Baltimore with a loss to the Wave on January 4, 12-10, and a win over the Blast on January 5, 4-0. Peter Pappas recorded the first KiXX shutout since January 14, 2004 over Baltimore, who had never been shut out in the club's 15-year history. The KiXX also defeated the Orlando Sharks back on New Year's Eve in Orlando, 12-8. Player/coach Don D'Ambra scored four goals and recorded an assist to tally nine points in the victory. The KiXX stay home this week to host the Sharks on January 12, Team Photo Night at the Spectrum. Game time is set for 7:05pm ET, and all fans in attendance will receive a 2007-08 KiXX team photo. The entire team will be on hand after the game to sign autographs.

This Week's Itinerary:

Monday, January 7, Off Day

Tuesday, January 8, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm

Wednesday, January 9, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm

Thursday, January 10, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm

Friday, January 11, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm

Saturday, January 12, KiXX vs. Orlando Sharks, 7:05pm, Wachovia Spectrum

Sunday, January 13, Off Day

*all times are Eastern and subject to change

University of Penn Health Systems Injury Report:

Player Injury Status

Sandre Naumoski Knee Questionable

Steve Wacker Knee Questionable

Angel Rivillo Knee Probable

Aaron Susi Foot Probable

KiXX vs. Orlando

3rd Meeting this Season

Philadelphia hosted the expansion Sharks in the two teams first game on Saturday, December 15, a 20-4 KiXX win. Sandre Naumoski scored two goals and recorded two assists for six points in the win. The Sharks hosted the KiXX on New Year's Eve, a KiXX 12-8 win that saw Don D'Ambra score a season high four goals and an assist for nine points. Orlando is still looking for their first win after losing 15 straight to start the season. The team is led by J.P. Rodrigues, who has scored nine goals for 20 points in 15 games. Former KiXX standout Shawn Boney has signed with the team after the club drafted the forward in the 2007 MISL Expansion Draft. Boney has made his presence felt, scoring four goals and recording three assists in just four games. Goalkeeper Paul Nagy has seen the majority of time in net with an 0-8 record and a 15.19 PAA. The team is coached by former MISL and MLS standout Jake Dancy.

Last Week's Outing(s):

KiXX 10, MIL 12 (1/4) - The KiXX had their three-game win streak snapped at the hands of the Milwaukee Wave (8-4) 12-10 at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee. The KiXX drop to 0-2 this season against the Wave, while Milwaukee pulls into a first place tie with the win. Pat Morris scored two goals, including the first penalty kick goal for the KiXX this season. Warren Ukah began scoring on a feed from Joe Hammes, Ukah's fifth of the season to put Milwaukee up 2-0. Ptah Myers team-leading ninth goal of the season tied the game at two apiece with just 30 seconds left in the first quarter. After a Milwaukee penalty, Pat Morris was elected to take a penalty shot for the KiXX, capitalizing for his sixth goal of the season to give Philadelphia the lead. Greg Howes, the MISL scoring leader, scored the following two goals, the second a penalty kick after a Sammy Castellanos holding call. Troy Dusosky spread the Wave lead to 8-4 when he scored his seventh of the season. Anthony Maher's third of the season, the fourth straight goal of the game for the Wave, gave the home team a 10-4 lead. Just before half, Tony Donatelli tied Myers for the team lead with nine goals on the season to bring the KiXX to within four points heading into the locker room. Dusosky's second goal of the game put Milwaukee up 12-6 ten minutes into the third quarter. The KiXX struck next to stay within reach, on a restart goal from Pat Morris, his second of the night, set up by Tony Donatelli. Philadelphia pulled within two when rookie Ryan Heins buried a breakaway shot for his second goal of the season. Milwaukee fought off the KiXX sixth attacker efforts for the final two minutes to win their eighth of the season. KiXX expansion draft picks Aaron Susi and Angel Rivillo, who have combined for 41 points this season, both missed their first games of the season with injuries. Jonathan Steele served a suspension after acquiring a red card on December 31 in Orlando. Milwaukee outshot Philadelphia 35-27.

KiXX 4, BAL 0 (1/5) - The KiXX (6-8) defeated the Baltimore Blast (6-6) 4-0 in front of 6,313 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum. Peter Pappas recorded the first KiXX shut out in four years, stopping all 20 of Baltimore's shots. The 4-0 final was the first time the Blast have ever been shut out in the club's 15-year history. Newcomers Jonathan Steele and Sammy Castellanos scored the Philadelphia goals to give the KiXX their sixth win of the season. The KiXX struck first when rookie and Philadelphia native Sammy Castellanos buried a rebound off an Aaron Susi shot 12:55 into the first quarter. The goal was the first of Castellanos' career. The University of South Florida graduate signed a 15-day/5-game contract on January 3 to join his brother David on the club. After a scoreless second quarter, Jonathan Steele gave Philadelphia a 4-0 lead with 2:04 remaining in the third frame. The goal, set up by Ptah Myers, was Steele's first of the season and first as a member of the KiXX. Pappas stopped all 14 shots he faced for the first KiXX shut out since January 14, 2004 against the San Diego Sockers. Angel Rivillo, the KiXX Player-of-the-Month for November, missed his second straight game with a knee injury. Prior to the game, player/coach Don D'Ambra was awarded the KiXX Player-of-the-Month award for December after scoring 16-points in five games.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 7, 2008


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