MISL-AISL clash, Part II: Storm travel to Rockford
February 8, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - The Major Indoor Soccer League's Chicago Storm make a short trek to the home field of the American Indoor Soccer League's Rockford Rampage. Rockford hosts the Storm for a 7:30 p.m. MISL-AISL rematch Saturday at the Victory Sports Complex in Loves Park, Ill.
On Tuesday, Chicago edged Rockford, 16-14, in an exhibition match as part of the Storm's annual School Day Game. For the Storm, they hope to establish a larger presence to indoor soccer fans further west on Interstate 90.
"I think it's very important as a franchise," Storm head coach Steve Morris said of Chicago's trip to Rockford. "Rockford's only 45 minutes from the Sears Centre, so it's a doable market. We haven't pulled in as many fans form that area, and we hope we can put on a good show, do the right things on and off the field in Rockford."
The Victory Sports Complex is located at 7003 N. Alpine Road, in Loves Park, Ill. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for youth and $25 for VIP. The Storm's next home match is Feb. 23, when they take on the Baltimore Blast. Game time is at 7 p.m. at the Sears Centre, and doors open at 6 p.m. For tickets, call (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.
STORM UPDATE - Win for the kids: On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the Storm's Matthew Stewart scored four goals and provided an assist as Chicago defeated the Rockford Rampage, 16-14, during its annual School Day Game at the Sears Centre Arena. Carlos "Chile" Farias had five assists. Gabriel Cigliano, Ian Bennett, Andy Rosenband and Chris Brisson also had goals for the Storm, who are 2-0 against Rockford. Last season, Chicago defeated the Rockford Thunder, 21-10. - Points leaders: Three Storm players rank in the MISL's top 20 in points. Matthew Stewart is 12th with 41, and he leads the Storm with 18 goals (all two-pointers). Stephen Armstrong currently ranks 15th with 38 points. Armstrong has 14 goals (an MISL-leading eight three-pointers) and two assists. Carlos "Chile" Farias is tied for 16th with 37 points. Farias has 11 goals (two three-pointers) and 13 assists. - Larkin honored: On Wednesday, Storm goalkeeper Jim Larkin was named co-MISL goalkeeper of the week with Milwaukee's Marcel Feenstra. The Storm garnered the award for a second straight week, following Jeff Richey's co-MISL goalkeeper honor. Last Saturday, Larkin added to his 3,000 save total by turning away 13 of 15 shots en route to a 15-4 victory against the New Jersey Ironmen at the Sears Centre. Larkin is 4-3 this season in seven starts. He is allowing 11.75 points per match and he has a save percentage of 0.699.
RAMPAGE UPDATE - Champs, already: Rockford is dominating AISL play this season with a 10-0 regular-season record. The Rampage already wrapped up the AISL regular-season title with last Saturday's overtime victory against the Cincinnati Excite. - Two-headed monster: Rockford's Novi Marojevic and Bato Radoncic have scored a combined 68 points in AISL play this season. Marojevic's 37 leads the league. He has 21 assists, 12 one-point goals and two three-point goals in 10 games. He also has two game-winning goals. Radoncic has 31 points, leading the team with 19 one-point goals, and 12 assists in nine matches. Marojevic played for the Storm from 2004-06. Radoncic, who was last year's AISL MVP, was drafted by the Storm in the July 2007 supplemental draft. - More Chicago connections: Rockford head coach Jeff Kraft was an assistant coach with the Chicago Storm for one season (2004-05), alongside Rockford Rampage president Oscar Albuquerque. Kraft played for the MISL's Kansas City Comets. Albuquerque is a former Chicago Sting player, making stops with MISL teams in Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas and New York. ... Mike Rigas is a Chicago native. - Rock solid: Rockford goalkeeper Dimitri Meletis is 10-0 in goal for a reason. He is allowing only 5.66 points per game and saving 73.9 percent of shots his way. He opened the season allowing only one point against Cincinnati in the season opener Nov. 3, 2007. The native of Greece is the first AISL goalkeeper to reach that mark.
The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 8, 2008
- MISL-AISL clash, Part II: Storm travel to Rockford - Chicago Storm
- Behind The Maroon & Mandarin: Stefan Stokic - New Jersey Ironmen
- Win a diamond at the Wave game - Milwaukee Wave
- KiXX host Wave Saturday - Philadelphia KiXX
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 Chicago Storm Stories
