KiXX travel to New Jersey on March 20 for match with playoff implications
March 19, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia, PA, March 19, 2008 - The defending MISL Champion Philadelphia KiXX will face the expansion New Jersey Ironmen on Thursday, March 20 in a game with major playoff implications. The KiXX are currently two full games back of the Ironmen for the sixth and final playoff spot. Each team has four games remaining including Thursday's match. Philadelphia already holds the tiebreaker over New Jersey if the two teams should end the regular season in a tie, by virtue of the club's 2-0 record over the Ironmen this season. The KiXX will round out their schedule by hosting the Milwaukee Wave on March 29, and then traveling to Monterrey and California on April 3 and 5. New Jersey finishes with Detroit, Monterrey, and Baltimore.
The KiXX dropped their last game to the Baltimore Blast by a score of 18-2 on March 7. Don D'Ambra scored the KiXX loan goal, while the team was outshot 40-16. Defender Casey Barton, a member of the 2007 MISL Championship KiXX, made his 2007-08 debut after being signed on March 4 for the remainder of the season.
This Week's Itinerary:
Wednesday, March 19, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Thursday, March 20, Game at New Jersey, 7:30pm
Friday, March 21, Off Day
Saturday, March 22, Off Day
Sunday, March 23, Off Day
Monday, March 24, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday, March 25, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm
*all times are Eastern and subject to change
University of Penn Health Systems Injury Report:
Player Injury Status
Steve Wacker Knee Out
MEET THE OPPONENT: NEW JERSEY IRONMEN
3rd Meeting this Season
12/14/07 - Philadelphia 10 at New Jersey 8
1/27/08 - New Jersey 13 at Philadelphia 17
The KiXX and Ironmen will face-off for the last time in the regular season, third overall on March 20. On December 14 in New Jersey, Philadelphia capped off a fourth quarter comeback scoring three goals in the final frame, including Steve Wacker's game-winner with 5:05 remaining. Peter Pappas stopped 13 of 17 shots in the win. On January 27 in Philadelphia, the KiXX put 17 points on the board despite being out shot 31-15. John Barry Nusum recorded a hat trick for the KiXX, as did Dan Antoniuk for the Ironmen.
Antoniuk, a former KiXX player, leads the Ironmen with 35 goals in 25 games. Goran Vasic, another former KiXX player, leads the team and the MISL in assists with 26. Tony Meola, a former standout on the U.S. National team, sports a 10-8 record and an 11.67 PAA. The team is coached by former KiXX player and coach Omid Namazi, who is the KiXX all-time assist leader, while Namazi's assistant, Kevin Sloan is yet another former KiXX player who has suited up for the Ironmen this season, scoring four goals in 13 games.
Last Week's Outing:
KiXX 2, Blast 18 (3/7) - The KiXX lost to the Baltimore Blast 18-2 in front of 9,743 fans at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore. Philadelphia couldn't overcome an 8-0 start from the Blast. The KiXX haven't faired well away from the Wachovia Spectrum this season, holding 3-9 record on the road. Ryan Pierce began scoring for the Blast on his first goal of the season, assisted by 2005-06 MISL MVP Adauto Neto. Michael Lookingland scored his ninth of the season assisted by Robbie Aristodemo over two minutes later. Denison Cabral followed with the next two, his 22nd and 23rd of the season, putting the Blast out to an 8-0 lead. Player/coach Don D'Ambra finally put the KiXX on the board with 2:45 remaining in the first half, set up by John Barry Nusum after a restart. Nusum extended his point-streak to four games. With 1:26 remaining, Lucio Gonzaga took the eight-point lead back for Baltimore heading into the locker room, 10-2. Baltimore outshot Philadelphia 24-8 in the first half. Baltimore shut the KiXX out in the second half, scoring four unanswered goals themselves. Gonzaga opened scoring in the second half as well, his 11th of the season, assisted by Blast leading scorer Machel Millwood. Three defenseman finished out scoring for Baltimore, with Aristodemo adding his own goal, followed by PJ Wakefield and Billy Nelson. Neto recorded the final two assists, to finish with three helpers on the night. Baltimore won the season series over Philadelphia, 3-1. Recently signed defender Casey Barton made his 2008-09 debut, recording one shot.
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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 19, 2008
- Ignition Weekly - Detroit Ignition
- Wave Weekly - Milwaukee Wave
- Chicago Storm Weekly - Chicago Storm
- Namazi Goes For Landmark Win In Thursday Match Up Against KiXX - New Jersey Ironmen
- Wave's School Day Exhibition Thrills Nearly 6,500 - Milwaukee Wave
- KiXX Face Ironmen March 20 in Critical Matchup - Philadelphia KiXX
- KiXX travel to New Jersey on March 20 for match with playoff implications - Philadelphia KiXX
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