Sports stats

KiXX move into second place in NISL standings

March 4, 2009 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release


Philadelphia, PA, March 4, 2009 - The Philadelphia KiXX defeated the Rockford Rampage 10-8 in overtime on March 1 to move into second place in the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) standings. The club embarks on a two-game road trip, their last two road dates of the regular season, this weekend. Philadelphia will kick-off the back-to-back set with a visit to the 1st Mariner Arena to battle the top-seeded Baltimore Blast on Saturday, March 7. Game-time is scheduled for 7:35 pm ET. The series concludes versus the Rockford Rampage at the MetroCentre on Sunday, March 8 and will kick-off at 6:05 pm ET. Both contests will be available live via webcast at www.wmssfm.com.

This Week's Itinerary:

Thursday, March 5, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Friday, March 6, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Saturday, March 7, KiXX @ Baltimore Blast, 1st Mariner Arena, 7:35 pm

Sunday, March 8, KiXX @ Rockford Rampage, Eastern States Coliseum, 6:05 pm

Monday, March 9, Off Day

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

Wednesday, March 11, 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

Don D'Ambra Foot Questionable

Matthew Maher Knee Out

Hewerton Moreira Knee Out-Season

Meet the Opponent: Rockford Rampage

2008-09 Series: 2-1 (home 2-0, away 0-1)

Overall: 2-1 (home 2-0, away 0-1)

Sunday's contest is the fourth and final regular-season meeting between Philadelphia and Rockford. The KiXX earned the victory in dramatic fashion in each of the contests at the Wachovia Spectrum. Philadelphia defeated the Rampage, 11-10, in the clubs' first ever meeting on February 21, the first game in a home-and-home series. Philadelphia native Pat Morris led the hosts with five points, including a three-point goal to pull the KiXX within one with just over three minutes to play and the assist to teammate Anthony Maher (four points) on the game-winning goal. The Rampage, formerly of the American Indoor Soccer League (AISL), concluded the two-game series with a 4-2 win at the Metro Centre on February 22. The KiXX then earned a 10-8 overtime win in the club's most recent meeting on March 1. Forward David Castellanos registered the game-winner just over four minutes into the extra stanza. Rockford features several familiar faces headlined by former Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Most Valuable Player Jamar Beasley, and standouts Novi Marojevic, Matthew Stewart, and Sanaldo. Rockford also recently announced the acquisition of forward Gary Brooks. Brooks began his professional indoor career with Philadelphia in 2004.

Meet the Opponent: Baltimore Blast

2008-09 Series: 1-2 (home 0-1, away 1-1)

Overall: 43-38 (home 25-15, away 18-23)

Saturday's contest will be the fourth 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 followed with an 18-6 win the City of Brotherly Love on January 17 thanks to a balanced attack that witnessed five different Baltimore players record at least three points. The KiXX then knocked-off the top-ranked team, 13-6, in the most recent meeting on January 31. Forwards Hewerton Moreira and Anthony Maher each registered four points for Philadelphia; Celenza led the Blast with four as well. Overall, the two clubs have a long-storied rivalry with the KiXX holding a slight advantage, 43-38, in the head-to-head meetings.

Last Week's Outings:

PHI 10, ROC 8 OT (3/1/09) - Forward David Castellanos connected on a two-point goal just over the four-minute mark of the first overtime period to give Philadelphia a 10-8 win versus the visiting Rockford Rampage. Matthew Stewart opened the scoring to provide the visitors an early 2-0 advantage with a two-point power-play goal at 2:51 of the opening quarter. Former KiXX midfielder Gary Brooks extended the Rockford lead to four, 4-0, with an unassisted two-point score at 8:37. With one-minute remaining in the stanza, Ricardinho put the hosts onto the board with an unassisted two-point goal, 4-2. Rockford's Jamar Beasley opened the second period with a two-point restart goal on an assist from Enrique Tovar to regain the four-point advantage, 6-2, for the visitors. Medford, NJ native Ryan Heins pulled Philadelphia back within two, 6-4, taking advantage of a misplay by Sanaldo at 5:30 of the third frame. Player/Coach Don D'Ambra knotted the score, 6-6, depositing a pass from Ricardinho on the restart at 10:46. Defender Geison Moura responded to regain the Rampage advantage, 8-6, at 13:10. Ricardinho pulled the hosting KiXX back even, 8-8, blasting home a shot into the top left corner of the net at 9:07 of the final quarter of play. The score held as time expired, sending the contest into overtime, the second such occasion for the KiXX this season. With the victory, Philadelphia is now 1-1 in overtime games this season and 18-21 all-time.

Down to the Wire: Philadelphia has hosted the Rockford Rampage to the Wachovia Spectrum twice this season with each contest being decided in the game's final minutes. Cape May native Anthony Maher knocked in a header for the game-winning goal with just over two minutes remaining in regulation in the first meeting on February 21 and forward David Castellanos posted the winner at 4:04 overtime in the most recent meeting on March 1. With the victory, Philadelphia is now 1-1 when forced to the extra stanza in overtime games this season and 18-21 all-time. In the only other meeting between the two clubs, the Rampage earned a 4-2 defensive battle at the Metro Centre on February 22.

Adding to the Trophy Case: Midfielder Ricardinho received his second NISL Player of the Week award after registering a game-high six points in Philadelphia's 10-8 overtime win versus the Rockford Rampage on March 1; the native of Sao Paulo, Brazil also received the accolade for the seven-day period ending February 8. With the performance, the six-year veteran is now ranked third among all NISL scorers with 41 points this season. Not be outdone, all-star goalkeeper Peter Pappas was named the League's Goalkeeper of the Month for his performance throughout February. The honor was the second consecutive for the Toronto, Ontario native as he was also named the NISL Goalkeeper of the Month for January. Overall this season, the KiXX have received six weekly honors and four monthly accolades.

Double-Bobble: The Philadelphia KiXX partnered with EwingCole to present the Don D'Ambra/Peter Pappas dual bobble head giveaway for the 2008-09 National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) season. The collectible was distributed to the first 3,000 fans, 14 and under, and all season ticket holders on Sunday, March 1. D'Ambra and Pappas are the only two players that have played with the team since the club's inception in 1996. The bobble head, produced by Alexander Global Promotions, is now available for purchase through the team's office at 1-888-888-KIXX (5499) and at the Wachovia Spectrum Fan Gear Store during all remaining home games. The collectible will also be available via the team's online store in the coming weeks.

CMN Jersey Auction: The KiXX hosted their annual game-worn jersey auction, which raised over $7,000 to benefit the Children's Miracle Network at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, on February 21 and then raffled off an Experience Philadelphia Family Package on March 1. The auction continues as the lone remaining package, an Experience Philadelphia Cultural Package will be available via raffle at club's home game on Saturday, March 14. Raffle tickets, priced at $5 for five tickets or $20 for an arms length, are available for purchase at the KiXX Information Booth located on the Wachovia Spectrum concourse behind section 201. Winners for the package will be announced during the fourth quarter.

Still Going ...: KiXX midfielder Ptah Myers is well on his way to becoming Philadelphia's Ironman. The Columbus, OH native has now appeared in 111 consecutive contests including playoffs (105 regular-season and six playoffs). The UMASS product has played in every game each of the last three seasons and 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.

Registration Open for Summer Camps: Online registration for the 2009 Philadelphia KiXX Summer Kamp program is now available. The summer camp program, which opens in mid-June and runs through late August, is designed for boys and girls (ages four to 14) with approximately 45 locations offered throughout the Tri-State area. The online registration webpage can be accessed by clicking on the Camps menu option located on the top bar of the team's official website, www.kixxonline.com.



Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from March 4, 2009


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.

Other Recent Philadelphia KiXX Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central