KiXX head south to battle I-95 rival Baltimore Blast on Saturday
December 18, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia, PA, December 18, 2008 - The Philadelphia KiXX (2-1) head south to battle Interstate-95 rival, the Baltimore Blast (3-0), on Saturday, December 20. The contest, the first of five meetings, features the top two teams in the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) with Baltimore holding the top spot and the KiXX sitting second. Game-time at the 1st Mariner Arena is scheduled for 7:35 pm ET and will be available live via webcast at www.wcbm.com.
This Week's Itinerary:
Wednesday, December 17, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursday, December 18, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Friday, December 19, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday, December 20, KiXX @ Baltimore Blast, 1st Mariner Arena, 7:35 pm
Sunday, December 21, Off Day
Monday, December 22, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Tuesday, December 23, 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
No Injuries
Meet the Opponent
KiXX (2-1) vs. Baltimore Blast (3-0)
Saturday, December 20, 2008, 7:35 pm - 1st Meeting of the season
Philadelphia and Baltimore will square-off for the first of five meetings this season on Saturday, December 20. The Blast currently hold the top spot in the NISL standings, while Philadelphia sits second, trailing by one-full game. 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 2.7 points per game, while the KiXX garner the most proficient offense, scoring 21.3 per outing. Head Coach Danny Kelly and the Blast return the majority of their roster that earned the 2008 MISL Championship with the exception of former League MVP Adauto Neto who signed with the New Jersey Ironmen of the Xtreme Soccer League. Baltimore fortified their already-stingent defense with the acquisition of Jonathan Greenfield, who spent the previous two campaigns with the Detroit Ignition. Prior to the season, Philadelphia agreed to terms with 16-year veteran Lee Tschantret. The New York, NY native spent seven seasons donning the Blast uniform.
Last Week's Outing - MON 14, PHL 12 (12/13/08):
The visiting La RaZa defeated Philadelphia 14-12 thanks to a balanced attack that included seven different goal-scorers for Monterrey. Philadelphia's Hewerton Moreira opened the scoring with a three-point goal, but after exchanging a pair of goals, the La RaZa held a 6-5 advantage at the half. Forward John Barry Nusum and Moreira each posted a score to kick-off the third stanza, but Monterrey responded with three consecutive tallies, including the game winner from Victor Quiroz with only 36 seconds remaining the contest. Ricardinho found the back of the net on a penalty-kick for Philadelphia with nine seconds remaining, but it proved too little, too late. Peter Pappas took the loss, stopping nine of 15 shots, while newcomer Steve Resse earned the victory between the posts for the La RaZa with 12 saves on 17 chances.
Closing in on 250 Wins
With loss to Monterrey on December 13, Philadelphia remains one win shy of reaching the 250-victory mark in franchise history. The team's next opportunity is a road date versus the Blast in Baltimore on December 20. The 12-year-old franchise eclipsed 100 wins in the 2000-01 season, the 200-victory mark in 2004-05 and earned League Championships in 2002 and 2007.
Well Represented
The KiXX are well represented on the NISL Leaderboard, holding three of the top five scorers including the top two overall. Newcomers Hewerton Moreira and Anthony Maher rank one and two, respectively, among the League's scorers, while Ricardinho is ranked fifth. Moreira has registered 22 points on a pair of 3pgs, six 2pgs, and four assists and has recorded at least two goals and six points in each of the team's first three contests. Maher, a native of Cape May, NJ, despite failing to tally a point in the club's most recent affair, has notched 17 points on six 2pgs and five assists (2nd NISL). Ricardinho, a teammate of Moreira with the Detroit Ignition each of the previous two seasons, has registered 12 points.
KiXX Ironman
KiXX midfielder Ptah Myers is well on his way to becoming Philadelphia's Ironman. The Columbus, OH native has appeared in 95 consecutive regular-contests including every game in each of the last three seasons. Combining playoffs, Myers has appeared in 101 consecutive games and last missed an outing when he did not participate in the team's contest versus the Milwaukee Wave on February 9, 2005. Philadelphia native Pat Morris currently holds the team's longest games-played streak with 97.
Holiday Card Contest
Combine your love of the Philadelphia KiXX and the Holiday season to create your entry for the KiXX Holiday Greeting Card Contest. There will be one winner per age division and then an overall grand prize winner whose winning design will be featured on the KiXX website and sent out as the official 2008 KiXX holiday card. For more information and directions on submitting your design, visit www.kixxonline.com.
NISL Unveils New League Website
The NISL unveiled the League's new official website, www.NISLnet.com, on November 21. The new site is interactive and user-friendly and will be the home for all the latest news and information about the five NISL member clubs. The website also features photos, video galleries, and links to each team's individual websites for tickets and merchandise. The homepage includes the NISL standings, League leaders, and an option to sign up for the NISL newsletter.
APPROACHING MILESTONES STREAKING
MILESTONE NEEDS PLAYER STREAK NUMBER
John Barry Nusum 100 career games played 1 Ptah Myers Games Played 95
Hewerton Moreira 50 career assists 2 Hewerton Moreira Points, Goals 3
Anthony Maher 100 career goals 3 Ptah Myers Points, Goals 3
Ricardinho 50 career blocks 5 Ricardinho Points, Goals 3
Clay Roberts 50 career games played 5 Pat Morris Points, Assists 3
Lee Tschantret 400 career goals 6 Joe Di Buono Blocks 3
Ricardinho 50 career goals 6
Don D'Ambra 450 career goals 7
Pat Morris 500 career blocks 8
Ricardinho 150 career games played 8
2008-09 Season Leaders:
Points GP PTS Goals GP G Assists GP AST
Hewerton Moreira 3 22 Hewerton Moreira 3 8 Anthony Maher 3 5
Anthony Maher 3 17 Anthony Maher 3 6 Ricardinho 3 4
Ricardinho 3 12 Ricardinho 3 4 Hewerton Moreira 3 4
Pat Morris 3 11 Ptah Myers 3 4 Pat Morris 3 4
Ptah Myers 3 8 Pat Morris 3 3 Don D'Ambra 3 3
Blocks GP BLK Goalkeeper GP GS MIN SF SV 3PG 2PG AVG W-L
Joe Di Buono 3 5 Peter Pappas 3 3 149:38 35 24 0 11 8.82 2-1
Pat Morris 3 3 Nick Hovaker 2 0 28:07 12 9 2 1 17.07 0-0
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from December 18, 2008
- KiXX head south to battle I-95 rival Baltimore Blast on Saturday - Philadelphia KiXX
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