KiXX entertain top-ranked Baltimore Blast on Dollar Night at the Wachovia Spectrum
January 14, 2009 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia, PA, January 14, 2009 - The Philadelphia KiXX (3-4) welcome their Interstate-95 rival, the Baltimore Blast, to the historic Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday, January 17. It's Dollar Dog Night at the Spectrum with all hot dogs just one dollar beginning from the time doors open at 6:00 pm ET at all concession stands. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:05 pm ET and can be heard live via webcast at www.wcbm.com.
This Week's Itinerary:
Wednesday, January 14, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursday, January 15, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Friday, January 16, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday, January 17, KiXX vs. Baltimore Blast, Wachovia Spectrum, 7:05 pm
Sunday, January 18, Off Day
Monday, January 19, Off Day
Tuesday, January 20, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
*all times are Eastern and subject to change
University of Penn Health Systems Injury Report: Player Injury Status
Nick Hovaker Head Questionable
John Barry Nusum Hamstring Questionable
Meet the Opponent
Baltimore Blast
2008-09 Series: 0-1 (home 0-0, away 0-1)
Overall: 42-37 (home 25-14, away 17-23)
Saturday's contest will be the second of five meetings between the KiXX and Baltimore this season. Despite a hat trick and seven points from Philadelphia native Pat Morris, the Blast earned the victory, 16-10, in the first meeting at the 1st Mariner Arena on December 20. Machel Millwod also posted seven points, while Guiliano Celenza and Denison Cabral each registered six for Baltimore. The Blast, fresh off their first loss of the season, currently hold the top spot in the NISL standings. The two teams also ranks one and two, respectively, in attendance and have combined to win six of the last seven League Championships (previously members of the Major Indoor Soccer League). Baltimore enters the contest with the top-ranked defensive unit, allowing a mere 6.0 points per game, while the KiXX garner the most proficient offense, scoring 18.3 per outing.
Last Week's Outings:
PHI 28, MASS 6 (1/10/09) - Philadelphia earned the franchise's 250th win with a 28-6 victory in Massachusetts. The two clubs exchanged a pair of scores in the first quarter and opening minute of the second period, but the KiXX pulled away with six-unanswered goals for a 12-point outburst to essentially put the game out of reach. The Twisters broke the momentum with a two-point score midway through the third frame, but only momentarily as Philadelphia rattled off 12 additional points en route to the game's final tally of 28-6. Midfielder Ptah Myers led all scorers with eight points (three 2pgs, two assists), while Northeast Catholic graduate Pat Morris and Cape May Court House native Anthony Maher each chipped in with six. Anthony's younger brother, Matthew, registered a pair of assists in his KiXX debut. All said, eight different scorers recorded at least two points for Philadelphia. Jeff Deren connected on two of the three scores for Massachusetts.
WIN NUMBER 250
After four consecutive losses, Philadelphia finally earned the franchise's 250th win with a 28-6 victory in Massachusetts on January 10. The 13-year-old franchise notched win number 249 on December 13, also at the Eastern States Coliseum, but dropped their next four decisions. The KiXX eclipsed 100 wins in the 2000-01 season, the 200-victory mark in 2004-05 and earned League Championships in 2002 and 2007.
OFFENSVE VS. DEFENSE
The Philadelphia KiXX - Baltimore Blast outing this Saturday could very well help to decide the age-old debate of which would you rather have - the League's most-proficient offense or the top-rated defense? The Blast enter the affair with the NISL's stingiest defense that allows a meager 6.0 points per game. Philadelphia is scoring at the rate of 18.3 points per game, the best in the five-team League. Baltimore holds the advantage in the argument, ranking atop the NISL standings with a 5-1 record, while the KiXX sit fourth, but everything could change pending the game's outcome.
LEAGUE RECOGNITION
The KiXX have earned several League accolades this season, most recently midfielder Ptah Myers who was named the NISL Player of the Week after posting a game-high eight points (three 2pgs, two assists) in Massachusetts. The announcement marked the first time Myers received a weekly accolade in his five-year career. Overall, the team has received three such honors with Hewerton Moreira and Anthony Maher also receiving the distinction for individual weekly performances. In addition, Moreira and Philadelphia native Pat Morris were recognized for their performance throughout the month of December and were named the NISL's Offensive and Defensive Player of the Month, respectively.
WELL-REPRESENTED
The KiXX are well represented on the NISL Leaderboard, holding four of the top five scorers. Philadelphia native Pat Morris recently assumed the top spot after posting a six-point performance in Massachusetts on January 10 to bring his season total to 31, while newcomer Hewerton Moreira moves back to second with 28 points. Cape May native Anthony Maher ranks third with 25 points on the season, while teammate Ptah Myers just cracked into the top five courtesy of an eight-point outburst in Massachusetts. The Columbus, OH native has now registered 22 points this season and was named the NISL Player of the Week, the first such honor of his five-year career.
KiXX IRONMAN
In addition to ranking among the NISL best scorers this season, KiXX midfielder Ptah Myers is well on his way to becoming Philadelphia's Ironman. The Columbus, OH native has appeared in 105 consecutive contests (99 regular-season and six playoffs) including every game in each of the last three seasons. His appearance versus Baltimore this Saturday, January 17 will mark his 100th consecutive regular-season game played. The UMASS product last missed an outing when he did not participate in the team's contest versus the Milwaukee Wave on February 9, 2005. Scott Henderson holds the team's all-time mark with 147 consecutive outings.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from January 14, 2009
- Dollar Dog Night at the Spectrum - Philadelphia KiXX
- KiXX entertain top-ranked Baltimore Blast on Dollar Night at the Wachovia Spectrum - Philadelphia KiXX
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