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Leaders Extend Winning Streaks

December 9, 2002 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2) News Release


The Milwaukee Wave and Philadelphia Kixx both entered the past week leading their respective conferences. Following a pair of wins over the course of the last seven days, both have increased the distance between themselves and the rest of their conference rivals.

Milwaukee (11-2) registered a 10-7 victory at San Diego on December 6 and a 17-6 triumph over Dallas on December 8. Victor Nogueira allowed just 13 points in the two Wave wins while Johnny Torres (five points) and Sean Reti (seven points) paced the Milwaukee offense.

The Wave, which has now won four straight contests, holds a five-game lead in the Western Conference standings on second-place Kansas City (5-6). Milwaukee's lead on third-place San Diego is six and one-half games while the Wave enjoys an eight and one-half game advantage on fourth-place Dallas (3-11).

Philadelphia ran its winning streak to five games with a 15-10 victory over Baltimore (4-9) on December 7 and an 11-7 win at Harrisburg on December 8. Goran Vasic registered seven points in the win over the Blast while Stuart Dobson notched an 11-save performance in triumph over the Heat.

The Kixx are now 12-3 overall and sport a perfect 9-0 record at the First Union Spectrum. Philadelphia enjoys a three and one-half game advantage on second-place Cleveland (7-5), a five and one-half game lead on third-place Harrisburg (6-8) and a seven-game cushion on fourth-place Baltimore.

While the Heat was unable to turn back the Kixx, the club managed a split in its two outings last week with a 14-13 victory over Cleveland at the PA State Farm Show Arena on December 7. David Bascome scored three first-half goals to pace the Harrisburg offense while Genoni Martinez posted the game-winning sixth-attacker goal with 1:42 remaining in the contest.

The Force maintained its two-game lead on Harrisburg in the Eastern Conference standings by registering a 16-12 "School Day" victory at San Diego on December 5. Jim Larkin made 19 saves while Joe Mattacchione and Chris Stathopoulos each notched four points to pace the Force offense.

A pair of Sockers' losses last week dropped San Diego (6-10) one and one-half games behind Kansas City in the Western Conference standings. The Sockers currently hold a two-game advantage on Dallas.

STATHOPOULOS AND NOGUEIRA EARN WEEKLY HONORS... Offensive: Cleveland forward Chris Stathopoulos has been named the MISL Offensive Player of the Week for the seven-day period ending December 8. Stathopoulos receives the award after posting four 2-point goals, a pair of assists and 10 points in two outings last week.

The Montreal native opened his week with a pair of 2-point goals, including the game-winning score, in Cleveland's 16-12 victory at San Diego on December 5. Stathopoulos then posted two 2-pointers and a pair of assists for six points in the Force's 14-13 loss at Harrisburg on December 7.

Stathopoulos, who had posted just three goals and 10 points in his first 10 games of the season, now ranks fourth on the Cleveland roster with 20 points on the campaign. The 24-year-old forward has registered seven goals and six assists on the season.

Others Receiving Consideration:

Harrisburg forward David Bascome posted five 2-point goals and 10 points in two games last week.

Milwaukee midfielder Sean Reti notched three 2-pointers and an assist for seven points in the Wave's 17-6 victory over Dallas on December 8.

Philadelphia forward Goran Vasic registered a 3-point goal and a pair of 2-point tallies for seven points in the Kixx's 15-10 triumph over Baltimore on December 7.

Defensive:

Milwaukee goalkeeper Victor Nogueira has been named the MISL Defensive Player of the Week for the seven-day period ending December 8. Nogueira receives the award after going 2-0 on the week while stopping 21 of 27 shots faced and posting a 6.50 points against average.

Nogueira opened the week by stopping 11 of 14 shots faced while leading Milwaukee to a 10-7 victory at San Diego on December 6. He then denied 10 of 13 shots faced while guiding Milwaukee to a 17-6 win over Dallas on December 8. The Mozambique native posted a .778 save percentage for the week while improving his record to 11-1 on the season.

The 2001-02 MISL Goalkeeper of the Year leads the League in both points against average at 7.43 and victories with 11 and is tied for the lead in minutes played at 734.

The naming of Nogueira as the League's Defensive Player of the Week marks the third time this season that he has won the award. Nogueira was also honored for the seven-day periods ending September 29 and October 27.

Others Receiving Consideration: Philadelphia goalkeeper Stuart Dobson stopped 11 of 14 shots faced in leading the Kixx to an 11-7 victory at Harrisburg on December 8.

Cleveland goalkeeper Jim Larkin stopped 30 of 43 shots faced and posted a 1-1 record on the week. Larkin stopped 19 of 25 shots faced in leading the Force to a 16-12 win at San Diego on December 5.

BOBBY MCAVAN TAKES BALTIMORE COACHING REIGNS...

Baltimore Blast Investor-Operator Ed Hale and General Manager Kevin Healey announced today that former Baltimore player, front office staff member and current Blast radio color commentator Bobby McAvan has replaced player/coach Sean Bowers as the club's head coach.

McAvan, who joined the Blast organization in 1981, played in 97 regular season games and 23 playoff contests for the Baltimore organization. He was a defender for the 1983-84 Blast side that claimed the MISL Championship.

The 49-year-old native of Dundee, Scotland, holds Canadian citizenship and represented Canada's Olympic and Pan American teams in 1979 and 1980.

Bowers served for six games as the Blast player/coach, producing a 2-4 record. McAvan will coach his first game as the Blast skipper when Baltimore (4-9) hosts Harrisburg on Friday, December 13.

THIS WEEK'S MISL SCHEDULE...

Friday, December 13 Harrisburg at Baltimore 7:35 p.m. ET
Saturday, December 14 Cleveland at Milwaukee 1:05 p.m. CT
San Diego at Harrisburg 7:35 p.m. ET
Baltimore at Dallas 7:05 p.m. CT
Philadelphia at Kansas City 8:05 p.m. CT
Sunday, December 15 Cleveland at Dallas 6:05 p.m. CT MISL GAME RECAPS (December 2 – December 8, 2002)

GAMES OF 12/05/2002
(Home CAPS) SCORING ATTN SHOTS PIM PP W/L GOALIE (SV-SF)
Cleveland 16 4-5-0-7 4,874 26 4 0-0 Larkin (19-25)
SAN DIEGO 12 4-4-0-4 35 0 0-2 Horvath (12-18)

Joe Mattacchione and Chris Stathopoulos each posted four points as the Cleveland Force defeated the San Diego Sockers by the score of 16-12 in front of a School Day crowd of 4,874 at the San Diego Sports Arena on Thursday, December 5. Kiley Couch opened the scoring with a 2-point goal at 3:07 before Aaron Susi (9:57) and Carlos Farias (9:57) notched 2-pointers to put the Sockers in front, 4-2. Stathopoulos answered for the Force with a 2-pointer at 12:25 of the first and Mattacchione followed with a 3-point goal at the 22-second mark of the second to give Cleveland a 7-4 lead. Giuliano Oliviero followed with a deuce at 4:25 before Farias notched a 2-pointer at 10:04 and Matthew Stewart posted a deuce at 10:28 to cut the Cleveland lead to 9-8 at the half. John Ball extended the Force lead to 11-8 with a 2-point tally at 4:07 of the fourth quarter before Mariano Bollella (4:55) and Alejandro Cardenas (5:54) each posted 2-point goals to push San Diego in front, 12-11. Stathopoulos (13:11) and Eric Kvello (3-pointer, 14:02) answered for the Force, however, to give Cleveland the four-point victory. Mattacchione and Stathopoulos led the Force in scoring with four points each while Farias paced San Diego with a pair of 2-point goals, an assist and five points. Jim Larkin (19 saves) earned the win in the Cleveland goal while D.J. Horvath (12) took the loss for the Sockers.

GAMES OF 12/06/2002
(Home CAPS) SCORING ATTN SHOTS PIM PP W/L GOALIE (SV-SF)
Milwaukee 10 0-4-4-2 4,594 21 2 0-0 Nogueira (11-14)
SAN DIEGO 7 0-0-0-7 25 0 0-1 Vorberg (9-14)

Johnny Torres registered a pair of goals and an assist as the Milwaukee Wave downed the San Diego Sockers, 10-7, at the San Diego Sports Arena on Friday, December 6. Torres opened the scoring with a 2-point goal at 5:33 of the second quarter and Joe Reiniger followed with a deuce at 10:50 of the frame to give Milwaukee a 4-0 halftime lead. In the third, Reiniger again connected, this time at the 38-second mark, before Torres added his second deuce at 5:50 to push the Wave in front, 8-0. Mariano Bollella (3:18) and Matt Schmidt (7:54) then exchanged fourth quarter 2-pointers before Matthew Stewart posted a 3-point goal at 9:52 and a 2-point tally at 11:06 to produce the 10-7 final score. Torres led Milwaukee in scoring with five points while Stewart paced San Diego with a pair of 2-point goals and four points. Victor Nogueira (11 saves) earned the win in the Milwaukee goal while Nick Vorberg (nine stops) took the loss for the Sockers.

GAMES OF 12/07/2002
(Home CAPS) SCORING ATTN SHOTS PIM PP W/L GOALIE (SV-SF)
PHILADELPHIA 15 4-2-7-2 4,852 27 0 0-0 Pappas (9-14)
Baltimore 10 4-2-4-0 17 0 0-0 Phillips (13-20)

Goran Vasic recorded seven points as the Philadelphia Kixx defeated the Baltimore Blast, 15-10, at the First Union Spectrum on Saturday, December 7. Denison Cabral opened the scoring and gave the Blast a 2-0 lead with a 2-point goal at 1:19 of the first quarter. Vasic followed with a deuce at 5:02 that tied the score before Danny Santoro made it 4-2, Baltimore, with a 2-pointer at 10:07. Shawn Boney then concluded the first quarter scoring with a 2-point goal at 14:17. In the second, Joel Shanker (3:30) and Cabral (14:04) exchanged 2-point goals to produce a 6-6 halftime count. Lee Tschantret (2:10) and Cabral (5:39) opened the third quarter scoring with back-to-back deuces to give Baltimore a 10-6 lead, but it would be all Kixx from that point forward. Vasic posted a 3-pointer at 7:17 and Pat Morris struck for a 2-point goal at 8:34 to give Philadelphia an 11-10 lead. Vasic then closed the third frame with a deuce at 10:48 before Gary DePalma added a 2-point tally at 2:52 of the fourth to produce the 15-10 final. Vasic led all scorers with a 3-point goal and a pair of 2-pointers for seven points. Cabral paced Baltimore with three 2-point goals and six points. Peter Pappas (nine saves) earned the win while Brett Phillips (13 stops) took the loss.

(Home CAPS) SCORING ATTN SHOTS PIM PP W/L GOALIE (SV-SF)
HARRISBURG 14 4-8-0-2 3,514 22 4 2-2 Hernandez (0-0)
Cleveland 13 3-6-0-4 22 4 1-2 Larkin (11-18)

David Bascome scored three goals as the Harrisburg Heat downed the Cleveland Force, 14-13, at the PA Farm Show Arena on Saturday, December 7. Marco Lopez opened the scoring with a 2-point goal at 5:43 and Bascome followed with a deuce at 11:43 to give the Heat a 4-0 lead. Kiley Couch then connected on a 3-point goal at 11:41 to close the first quarter scoring with Harrisburg holding a 4-3 advantage. In the second, Genoni Martinez (17 seconds) and Bascome (2:25,5:38) struck for 2-pointers before Chris Stathopoulos (7:20) and Lee Edgerton (8:02) answered for Cleveland to make it a 10-7 contest. Stathopoulos then added a second deuce at 10:01 before Matt Tanzini connected for a 2-pointer at 14:42 to close the half with the Heat leading, 12-9. Following a scoreless third quarter, Giuliano Oliviero (11:18) and Edgerton (12:53) connected for fourth quarter 2-point goals to push the Force in front, 13-12, but Martinez answered for Harrisburg with a game-winning sixth-attacker goal at 13:18. Bascome paced the Heat with three 2-point goals and six points while Stathopoulos led Cleveland with a pair of 2-point goals and two assists for six points. Martin Hernandez (0 saves) earned the win as a sixth attacker while Jim Larkin (11 stops) took the loss for Cleveland.

GAMES OF 12/08/2002
(Home CAPS) SCORING ATTN SHOTS PIM PP W/L GOALIE (SV-SF)
MILWAUKEE 17 0-8-9-0 5,903 34 21 1-1 Nogueira (10-13)
Dallas 6 0-2-2-2 20 17 1-3 Sagu (21-29)

Sean Reti posted three goals and added an assist as the Milwaukee Wave defeated the Dallas Sidekicks, 17-6, in front of 5,903 fans at the Bradley Center on Sunday, December 8. Following a scoreless first quarter, Todd Dusosky (24 seconds) and Matt Schmidt (1:24) connected on 2-point goals to give the Wave a 4-0 lead. David Doyle notched a 2-pointer for Dallas at 4:51, but Brian Loftin (11:31) and Reti (14:05) answered for Milwaukee to give the Wave an 8-2 halftime lead. In the third, Armando Valdivia registered a deuce at the 26-second mark before Milwaukee went on a 9-0 to put the game away. Reti posted consecutive 2-pointers at 6:35 and 9:20 before Joe Reiniger (11:40) and Greg Howes (3-point goal, 14:55) concluded the Wave run and paced Milwaukee to a 17-4 lead through three quarters of play. Brad Flanagan then concluded the scoring with a deuce at 12:07 of the fourth. Reti led all scorers with three 2-point goals and an assist for seven points. Flanagan paced Dallas with a 2-point goal and an assist for three points. Victor Nogueira (10 saves) earned the win in goal while Sagu (21 stops) took the loss.

(Home CAPS) SCORING ATTN SHOTS PIM PP W/L GOALIE (SV-SF)
Philadelphia 11 2-4-2-3 2,502 29 2 0-0 Dobson (11-14)
HARRISBURG 7 2-0-0-5 29 5 0-1 Petras (10-14)

Kevin Sloan notched four points as the Philadelphia Kixx downed the Harrisburg Heat, 11-7, at the PA State Farm Show Arena on Sunday, December 8. David Bascome opened the scoring with a 2-point goal at 9:27 of the first before Joel Shanker answered with a deuce at 13:22. In the second, Sloan struck for consecutive 2-pointers at 1:29 and 10:44 to give the Kixx a 6-2 halftime lead. Gary DePalma then added a deuce at 1:13 of the third to make the score, 8-2 in favor of Philadelphia. Genoni Martinez responded with a 3-point strike at 1:48 of the fourth and Bascome followed with a deuce at 7:22 to make it an 8-7 contest. Glenn Carbonara ended the suspense, however, with a 3-point goal vs. the sixth attacker at 14:55 to give the Kixx the 11-7 victory. Sloan paced Philadelphia with a pair of 2-point goals and four points while Bascome led the Heat with two 2-pointers and four points. Stuart Dobson (11 saves) earned the win while Doug Petras (10 stops) took the loss.

TEAM CAPSULES (December 2 – December 8, 2002)

Baltimore Blast (4-9)
The Blast dropped a 15-10 decision at Philadelphia in the club's only action of the week. Denison Cabral posted three goals and six points in the contest vs. the Kixx and is now tied for 12th in MISL scoring with 28 points. Cabral is also tied for second in restart goals with three. Rookie P.J. Wakefield continues to pace MISL freshman in scoring. Wakefield is second on the Blast roster with 22 points. Defender Sean Bowers is second in the MISL in blocks with 32 while Jason Dieter ranks fourth with 27. Goalkeeper Scott Hileman ranks fifth in the MISL in points against average at 11.27. Baltimore continues to rely on the 2-point goal with 64 of the club's 68 goals (94.1%) being of the 2-point variety. The Blast ranks second in the League in restart goals scored with eight. Baltimore is averaging 10.8 points per contest and allowing 12.5 points per game. The Blast will entertain Harrisburg on December 13 before traveling to Dallas on December 14 and San Diego on December 21.
Leading Scorer: Cabral (28 points)
Leading Goalkeeper: Hileman (3-7; 11.27 paa; .716 save percentage)
Up Next: Fri. 12/13 vs. Harrisburg, Sat. 12/14 at Dallas, Sat. 12/21 at San Diego

Cleveland Force (7-5)
The Force split a pair of road dates last week with a 16-12 win at San Diego on December 5 and a 14-13 loss at Harrisburg on December 7. Hector Marinaro missed both games due to injury, but is tied for eighth in MISL scoring with 33 points. Marinaro is also tied for third in power play goals with three. Giuliano Oliviero is tied for 16th in scoring with 26 points while John Ball is second in sixth attacker goals with three. Goalkeeper Jim Larkin leads the League in saves with 182 and ranks third in wins with seven. Larkin also ranks fourth in minutes with 712 and seventh in points against average at 11.54. Cleveland has the MISL's third best offense at 11.8 points per game while the defense is surrendering 11.4 points per contest. The Force power play is tied for second best in the MISL at 52.9% while the Cleveland penalty kill is the League's third best unit at 65%. Despite having the third most productive offense in the MISL, Cleveland averages a League low 24.8 shots per game. The Force will travel to Milwaukee on December 14 and Dallas on December 15 before entertaining Kansas City on December 28.
Leading Scorer: Marinaro (33 points)
Leading Goalkeeper: Larkin (7-5; 11.54 paa; .734 save percentage)
Up Next: Sat. 12/14 at Milwaukee, Sun. 12/15 at Dallas, Sat. 12/28 vs. Kansas City

Dallas Sidekicks (3-11)
The Sidekicks dropped a 17-6 decision at Milwaukee on December 8 in the club's only action of the week. Tatu and David Doyle are tied for the team lead and are knotted for fifth in MISL scoring with 34 points. Tatu is also tied for third in the League in assists with 12. Patrick Shamu is tied for 12th in MISL scoring with 28 points. Goalkeeper Sagu is tied for the League lead in minutes with 734 and ranks fourth in saves with 156. Sagu also ranks sixth in points against average at 11.44. The Sidekicks are averaging 9.5 points per game while surrendering 11.9 points per contest. Dallas' power play is ranked sixth at 36.8% while the club's penalty kill is tied for fifth at 52%. The Sidekicks are 3-3 vs. Eastern Conference competition, but have yet to win (0-8) vs. a Western Conference opponent. The Sidekicks will host Baltimore on December 14 and Cleveland on December 15 before traveling to Kansas City on December 21.
Leading Scorers: Doyle, Tatu (34 points)
Leading Goalkeeper: Sagu (2-10, 11.44 paa, .703 save percentage)
Up Next: Sat. 12/14 vs. Baltimore, Sun. 12/15 vs. Cleveland, Sat. 12/21 at Kansas City

Harrisburg Heat (6-8)
The Heat split a pair of home dates with a 14-13 victory over Cleveland on December 7 and an 11-7 setback vs. Philadelphia on December 8. David Bascome registered 10 points in the two outings and ranks second in the MISL in scoring with 43 points. Bascome leads the League in 2-point goals with 20 and power play goals with eight and is tied for the MISL lead in total goals with 20. Genoni Martinez leads all MISL defenders and is tied for fifth in League scoring with 34 points while ranking third in blocks with 30. Martinez is also tied for fourth in 2-point goals with 12. Martinez and Bascome are tied for second in the MISL in restart goals with three. Ato Leone is tied for third in assists with 12. Goalkeeper Doug Petras is second in the League in saves with 176 while ranking fourth in both points against average (11.21) and save percentage (.749). Petras ranks fifth in the MISL in wins with four. The Harrisburg penalty kill continues to be the League's best at 76.9% while the Heat power play ranks fifth at 39.3%. Harrisburg leads the MISL in restart goals with 11. The Heat travels to Baltimore on December 13 before entertaining San Diego on December 14 and Dallas on December 28.
Leading Scorer: Bascome (43 points)
Leading Goalkeeper: Petras (4-5; 11.21 paa; .749 save percentage)
Up Next: Fri. 12/13 at Baltimore, Sat. 12/14 vs. San Diego, Sat. 12/28 vs. Dallas

Kansas City Comets (5-6)
The Comets were idle last week, but Dino Delevski remains in the hunt for the Spalding Scoring Champion Award. Delevski is tied for third in the MISL in scoring with 42 points. He also ranks fourth in total goals with 15 and is tied for fourth in 2-point goals with 12. Nino DaSilva is 10th in League scoring with 30 points while Nate Houser is tied for 16th with 26 points. Paolo Ceccarelli leads the MISL in save percentage at .786 and ranks third in saves with 158. Ceccarelli also ranks fourth in wins with five and is eighth in points against average at 11.76. The Kansas City offense is the League's second best at 13.5 points per game while the Comets defense is allowing 14.6 points per contest. Kansas City is tied for second in the MISL on the power play at 52.9% while the club's penalty kill is tied for fifth at 52%. The Comets are 0-3 at home and 5-3 on the road this season. Kansas City will host Philadelphia on December 14 and Dallas on December 21 before traveling to San Diego on December 26.
Leading Scorer: Delevski (42 points)
Leading Goalkeeper: Ceccarelli (5-1; 11.76 paa; .786 save percentage)
Up Next: Sat. 12/14 vs. Philadelphia, Sat. 12/21 vs. Dallas, Thurs. 12/26 at San Diego

Milwaukee Wave (11-2)
The Wave's winning streak reached four games with a 10-7 victory at San Diego on December 6 and a 17-6 triumph vs. Dallas on December 8. Joe Reiniger is tie for third in the MISL in scoring with 42 points and ranks second in the League in power play goals with seven. Reiniger leads the MISL in restart goals with four while ranking third in the League in both total goals (17) and 2-point goals (14). Greg Howes is tied for eighth in scoring with 33 points and is tied for the League in game-winning goals with four. Todd Dusosky is tied for the MISL lead in assists with 13 while goalkeeper Victor Nogueira leads the MISL in both points against average at 7.43 and victories with 11. Nogueira is tied for the MISL lead in minutes with 734 and ranks second in save percentage at .773. The Milwaukee offense paces the League at 14.4 points per game while the club's defense is also tops at 8.2 points per contest. The Wave power play is the MISL's best at 56% while the club's penalty kill ranks second at 73.7%. The Wave sports the League's best road record at 6-1. Milwaukee will host Cleveland on December 14 before traveling to Philadelphia on December 21. The Wave will then entertain Dallas on December 31.
Leading Scorer: Reiniger (42 points)
Leading Goalkeeper: Nogueira (11-1; 7.43 paa; .773 save percentage)
Up Next: Sat. 12/14 vs. Cleveland, Sat. 12/21 at Philadelphia, Tues. 12/31 vs. Dallas

Philadelphia Kixx (12-3)
The Kixx improved to nine games above .500 with a pair of victories last week. Philadelphia defeated Baltimore, 15-10, on December 7 before winning at Harrisburg, 11-7, on December 8. Joel Shanker had four points in the two wins and is 11th in MISL scoring with 29 points. Don D'Ambra is 15th with 27 points and is tied for the League lead in game-winning goals with four. Gary DePalma ranks 18th in MISL scoring with 25 points. Kevin Sloan is tied for second in first goals with three while Pat Morris is fifth in assists with 11. Goalkeeper Peter Pappas is second in the MISL in wins with 10 while ranking third in both points against average (8.53) and minutes (724). Pappas ranks fifth in the League in save percentage at .741. Philadelphia is 9-0 at home and 3-3 on the road. The Kixx have the MISL's second best defense, allowing 8.7 points per game. Philadelphia has outscored opponents, 172-130, on the season. The Kixx will travel to Kansas City on December 14 before entertaining Milwaukee on December 21 and Dallas on January 4.
Leading Scorer: Shanker (29 points)
Leading Goalkeeper: Pappas (10-2; 8.53 paa, .741 save percentage)
Up Next: Sat. 12/14 at Kansas City, Sat. 12/21 vs. Milwaukee, Sat. 1/4 vs. Dallas

San Diego (6-10)
The Sockers dropped a pair of home dates with a 16-12 loss to Cleveland on December 5 and a 10-7 setback vs. Milwaukee on December 6. Carlos Farias posted five points on the week and continues to pace the MISL in scoring with 58 points. Farias is also tied for the League lead in both total goals with 20 and assists with 13. He paces the MISL in 3-point goals with five and ranks second in 2-point goals with 15. Alejandro Cardenas is tied for 12th in League scoring with 28 points while Gaston Pernia leads the MISL in blocks with 37. Goalkeeper Nick Vorberg is second in the League in points against average at 8.38 and ranks third in save percentage at .755. San Diego is averaging 9.7 points per game while allowing 11.9 points per contest. The Sockers' power play is operating at 30.8% while the club's penalty kill has produced a 59.1% success rate. San Diego is 5-3 vs. Western Conference opponents and 1-7 vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Sockers will travel to Harrisburg on December 14 before hosting Baltimore on December 21 and Kansas City on December 26.
Leading Scorer: Farias (58 points)
Leading Goalkeeper: Vorberg (3-5; 8.38 paa; .755 save percentage)
Up Next: Sat. 12/14 at Harrisburg, Sat. 12/21 vs. Baltimore, Thurs. 12/26 vs. Kansas City

LEAGUE NOTES...

- Milwaukee forward Joe Reiniger registered the 500th goal of his career with a 2-point tally at 10:50 of the second quarter in the Wave's 10-7 victory at San Diego on December 6

- Harrisburg goalkeeper Doug Petras announced last week that he is leaving professional indoor soccer to pursue a career in law enforcement; Petras will be sworn in as a member of the Lower Paxton Township, PA police department on January 6

- The Philadelphia Kixx are just 1,273 fans away from welcoming the 1,000,000 patron in the club's seven-year history; Philadelphia is expected to welcome the historic visitor on December 21 when the Kixx entertain the Milwaukee Wave

- The Cleveland Force will televise the team's two road dates this week; the Force games at Milwaukee (December 14) and at Dallas (December 15) will be broadcast on Cleveland's WUAB TV-43 The Block

- Cleveland forward Hector Marinaro is just one goal shy of 1,200 for his career; Marinaro will become the first player in indoor soccer history to reach the 1,200-goal plateau with his next tally

- Milwaukee defender Lovelace Ackah has played in 118 consecutive games; the Wave team record for consecutive games played (regular season and playoffs) was set by Steve Morris with 161

- Baltimore forward Gino DiFlorio has amassed 496 career assists and needs just four more dishes to become the seventh player in indoor soccer history to collect 500 career assists

QUOTE CORNER...

"It has been a good experience, and a lot of fun...this is something I've been wanting to do...it's going to take a while to get used to the game, but I hope to do this a long time."

- San Diego rookie midfielder Leo Nava following the Sockers December 5 contest vs. Cleveland; Nava scored his first MISL goal in the game

"What I love about this team is they don't quit...they play with confidence knowing they can find a way to win any game...they work hard and they work for each other...they never stop fighting."

- Cleveland interim head coach Andy Schmetzer following the club's December 7 contest at Harrisburg; the Force trailed 10-3 in the game before rallying and ultimately falling 14-13

"He wasn't playing much, and he could have put his head down, not come to train at a high level...he didn't do that...he maintained his intensity and enthusiasm, and I think that set him up for this."

- Milwaukee head coach Keith Tozer on Wave midfielder Sean Reti who scored his first MISL goal on his way to a seven-point performance in Milwaukee's 17-6 victory over Dallas on December 8

"They (Harrisburg) made it close at the end with that goal, but it was good to be in there again...I haven't played for five or six games, so it was nice to get in there and continue the streak we've got going."

- Philadelphia goalkeeper Stuart Dobson after his 11-save performance led the Kixx to an 11-7 victory at Harrisburg on December 8

FARIAS LEADS SPALDING SCORING RACE; BASCOME MOVES INTO SECOND PLACE...

San Diego's Carlos Farias continues to lead the Spalding Scoring race. Farias posted five points last week to improve his season total to 58. Harrisburg's David Bascome enjoyed a 10-point week and now ranks second in League scoring with 43 points. Kansas City's Dino Delevski and Milwaukee's Joe Reiniger are tied for third with 42 points while the Dallas duo of David Doyle and Tatu are tied for fifth with 34 points.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from December 9, 2002


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