KiXX Weekly
Published on January 30, 2008 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia, PA, January 30, 2008 - The defending MISL Champion Philadelphia KiXX split last weekend's series, losing in Orlando on Friday night and defeating the New Jersey Ironmen on Sunday. The loss to the Sharks on January 25 was the first of the season, after the KiXX took the first three games of the series. At home on Sunday, January 27, the KiXX beat the Ironmen for the second time this season in two tries, highlighted by a hat trick from John Barry Nusum and Nick Hovaker's first career win in net. The KiXX were without Peter Pappas for both matches, as Pappas is still recovering from a neck injury suffered on January 18 in Chicago. The KiXX look ahead to three straight home games, February 2 against Detroit in a rematch of last season's MISL Championship game, February 9 against the Milwaukee Wave for KiXX Hat Night courtesy of NBC10, and Wednesday, February 13 for the KiXX annual School Day Game beginning at 10:35am.
This Week's Itinerary:
Monday, January 28, Off Day
Tuesday, January 29, Off Day - Light Training
Wednesday, January 30, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Thursday, January 31, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Friday, February 1, Practice, Tri-State Sports, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Saturday, February 2, Detroit Ignition, Wachovia Spectrum, 7:05pm
Sunday, February 3, Off Day
*all times are Eastern and subject to change
University of Penn Health Systems Injury Report:
Player Injury Status
Peter Pappas Neck Questionable
Steve Wacker Knee Doubtful
MEET THE OPPONENT: DETROIT IGNITION
3rd Meeting this Season
11/3/07 - KiXX 6 at Detroit 17
11/10/07 - Detroit 11 at KiXX 9
The KiXX and Ignition haven't met since the beginning of the season, when Detroit took both a home and road game from Philadelphia. Detroit currently sits atop the MISL standings with a 12-5 record. On November 3 in Detroit, Hewerton Moriera and Ricardinho each recorded six points in the Ignition 17-6 victory. Angel Rivillo contributed two goals for the KiXX. In the KiXX home opener on November 10, Detroit outlasted Philadelphia 11-9, with goals from four different players. Rivillo again scored two goals, and KiXX player/coach Don D'Ambra recorded three assists. 2007 MISL MVP Jamar Beasley leads the club with 16 goals and for 41 points. Droo Callahan ranks second in the League with 37 blocks. In net, Danny Waltman sports a 10-5 record with a stellar 8.51 PAA, second in the MISL. His 10 wins are tied for first. The team is coached by Bob Lilley, who took over midway through the season for Mark Puscilic, who took over soccer operations. Lilley previously coached Tony Donatelli and the Vancouver White Caps of the USL.
Last Week's Outing(s):
KiXX 17, NJ 13 (1/27) - The KiXX (8-11) snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating the expansion New Jersey Ironmen (10-7) in front of 6,142 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum. Nick Hovaker won the first game of his rookie season in net and John Barry Nusum scored a hat trick for the home crowd, recording five points in the first quarter alone. The KiXX were without Peter Pappas for a third straight game due to a neck injury. John Barry Nusum and Sandre Naumoski hooked up twice to get the KiXX rolling to a 4-0 start. The goals were Nusum's seventh and eighth on the season. Player/coach Don D'Ambra spread the KiXX lead to 6-0 when he knocked home a lob from Jonathan Steele. The goal was D'Ambra's team-leading 11th of the season, and the 301st of his 14-year career. On January 25 in Orlando, D'Ambra became just the 14th player in MISL history to score 300 goals in his career. Tiguinho's fourth of the season put the Ironmen on the board to make it 6-2. Just 14 seconds later, former KiXX standout and current Ironmen player/assistant coach Kevin Sloan buried a three-pointer to bring the Ironmen to within one. With five seconds remaining in the opening frame, Pat Morris knocked a two-pointer by Ironmen keeper Tony Meola to give the KiXX an 8-5 lead after one. Nusum was given the assist on the play. After a scoreless second quarter, Ptah Myers gave the KiXX a 10-5 lead just 27 seconds into the second half. D'Ambra was credited with the assist, the 200th of his career. With the assist, D'Ambra became just the 12th player in MISL history to record 200 assists. 3:55 into the quarter, former KiXX player and Ironmen leading scorer Dan Antoniuk brought NJ to with three points with his 24th goal of the season. Jonathan Steele restored the KiXX five-point lead with a goal 10:09 into the third frame, assisted by Aaron Susi. Osni Neto pulled the Ironmen to within one goal after his fifth of the season made the score 12-9. Nusum completed the hat trick for the KiXX giving the home team a 14-9 lead. Nusum scored on a rebound after Ryan Heins brought the ball the length of the field. With Goran Vasic on as sixth attacker for New Jersey, KiXX captain Pat Morris buried a three-point empty net goal to give the KiXX a 17-9 lead. Antoniuk would follow with two more goals to complete the hat trick, ending scoring at 17-13.
KiXX 6, ORL 10 (1/25) - The KiXX (7-11) dropped their third straight decision at the hands of the expansion Orlando Sharks (2-16). After starting the season with 16 straight losses, the Sharks have won two in a row, including their first victory on January 18 over the California Cougars. The KiXX were without perennial All-Star keeper Peter Pappas for the second consecutive game. Pappas suffered a neck injury against the Chicago Storm on January 18. Rookie Nick Hovaker was given his third start of the season in net. The Sharks started the scoring when former KiXX player Damien Pottinger struck 3:52 into the opening frame. Jorge Valle was credited with the assist on Pottinger's goal, which was his fifth on the season, and third against Philadelphia. Ptah Myers tied the game at 2-2 for the KiXX at 6:08 of the second quarter. Myers' tenth of the season gave him a share of the team lead in goals with Tony Donatelli. Player/coach Don D'Ambra gave the KiXX their first lead just 50 seconds later with help from Sandre Naumoski, who returned after missing six games with a knee injury. D'Ambra's goal was the 300th two-point goal of his career. The Philadelphia native is just the 12th player in MISL history to record 300 career two-point goals. D'Ambra also made it a three-way tie at the top of the KiXX leading-scorer board, with his 10th of the season. Chris Cerroni, Shawn Boney, and Bill Sedgewick scored three straight in the second half to give the Sharks an 8-4 lead. John Barry Nusum brought the KiXX to within two,8-6 at 13:38 of the fourth, but Eric Vasquez sealed the win for Orlando. The Sharks defense held the lead, despite almost eight minutes of sixth attacker time from the KiXX with Aaron Susi on the field.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 30, 2008
- KiXX and McDonald's partner for Go Active! Academic Awards - Philadelphia KiXX
- KiXX Weekly - Philadelphia KiXX
- Wave Weekly - Milwaukee Wave
- Ignition Weekly - Detroit Ignition
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