Knights Resume I-90 Rivalry, Head to Rochester for Date with Lancers

December 20, 2012 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release


SYRACUSE, NY - The Syracuse Silver Knights of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) will travel to the Blue Cross Arena for the next chapter in their growing rivalry with the Rochester Lancers this Saturday, December 22, at 7 p.m.

The Silver Knights are well rested following an 18-8 drubbing over the Missouri Comets last Friday at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena. The Knights are now winners of three of their last four contests and sit just one game behind the Comets for the fourth spot in the standings. Despite their recent success, the Silver Knights will head to the Blue Cross Arena looking for their first road win of the season.

Last Friday's win over the Comets gave the hometown faithful more entertainment than they bargained for, after an offensive explosion was complimented with a SportsCenter Top 10-like series of five consecutive saves from goalkeeper Bryan O'Quinn. O'Quinn's saves, finished with a transition goal for Syracuse's Bryan Perez, now has over 10,000 YouTube hits. Due to the Knights' added popularity in Syracuse, the team has organized a bus trip with Caz Limo in which $25 gives fans a round-trip bus trip and a ticket to the game against the Lancers on Saturday. For more information call 303-7261, more than 80 Syracuse fans have already signed up!

Following last week's win, Syracuse players Nelson Santana (2A) and Andriy Budnyy (3G) were named to the MISL Team of the Week, while Bryan O'Quinn and Bryan Perez earned honorable mention.

Rochester comes into this weekend at 5-4 and currently sits in the third spot of the MISL standings. Their last game was a 10-6 home victory over Wichita last Saturday in which the MISL's leading scorer, Doug Miller (42 Pts.), contributed five points to lead the Lancers, earning him Team of the Week honors along-side Santana and Budnyy.

The last time these two I-90 rivals met was an afternoon contest on Sunday December 2 at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena in which Syracuse pulled of a remarkable 23-8 win. Syracuse's leading scorer at third overall in the MISL, Neto, starred for the Knights with seven points while new signing, Jamar Beasley, put up five points in his Syracuse debut.

Syracuse Key to Victory:

Tommy Tanner has preached to his team all season long the importance of defending their own end at all costs while building offense out of the back with transition opportunities. The Knights have been able to create these chances all season long, but just recently have began to finish them with lethal precision. It is important for Syracuse to capitalize on early chances and take the Rochester faithful at Blue Cross Arena out of the game. The Knights are looking for their first road win of the season while Rochester has won four of five games at home this year.

Player to Watch:

Baldwinsville native Nate Bourdeau made his professional debut in Syracuse's 18-8 win over the Comets last weekend. Bourdeau's confidence visibly increased as the game and his playing time progressed, and at one point the former Rutgers captain was able to dribble past two defenders with intricate footwork before getting a powerful shot off that was turned aside by the Missouri keeper. Still one of Tammy Tanner's role players, look for Bourdeau's confidence to increase even further as he becomes more acclimated to the professional indoor style of the MISL.

Syracuse will return home on Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 26, at 7:00 p.m. to battle the MISL's defending champion, the Milwaukee Wave, in what is being dubbed as "Knock out the Champs Night." The team is offering two great ticket specials for the December 26th game. Purchase four tickets for $50 and receive a MISL Replica Ball, or purchase two tickets for $25 and receive a $5 Dunkin' Donuts Gift Card.



Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from December 20, 2012


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