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October 20, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2) News Release


GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK

Sagu, Baltimore Blast, GK, 5-11, 175

Sagu starred in his Baltimore Blast debut on Oct. 16. The Sao Paulo, Brazil native stopped 14 of 17 shots in helping the Blast to a 5-3 win over the San Diego Sockers before 8,153 fans at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore. Acquired by the Blast (1-1) in an Oct. 5 trade with Cleveland, Sagu compiled a 21-31 record, and a 4.70 goals against average in two previous seasons in the MISL, both with the Dallas Sidekicks. In 2003-04, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound, Sagu recorded one of three goalkeeper shutouts in the League, was invited to the MISL All-Star Game, was named the MISL Goalkeeper of the Week on three occasions, and was named the MISL Goalkeeper of the Month for November.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Neil Gilbert, Baltimore Blast, D, 6-0, 180

Gilbert was instrumental in limiting San Diego to three goals and 17 shots in Baltimore's 5-3 win over the Sockers on Oct. 16. The 34-year-old defender notched his third block of the season while forcing the Sockers into shots from the perimeter and also helping to limit San Diego's counter-attack chances. The native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, needs just two more blocks to reach 300 for his career. The 10-year veteran, who began his career with the Canton Invaders in the 1994-95 season, has also totaled 62 goals and 57 assists in his career.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Giuliano Celenza, Baltimore Blast, F, 5-6, 155

Celenza led all scorers in Baltimore's 5-3 victory over the San Diego Sockers on Oct. 16, when he contributed two goals and one assist. The Baltimore native, and 5-foot-6, 155-pound forward, scored goals in the second and third quarters, and assisted on Tarik Walker's power play goal in the fourth quarter. The 25-year-old Celenza has four points in two games this season (three goals, one assist), and now ranks 17th in career points for Baltimore with 183 points in 111 games. The former University of Maryland Baltimore County standout finished 11th in the League in points in 2003-04 with 46 (33 goals, 13 assists) and was named the MVP of the 2003-04 MISL All-Star Game in St. Louis.

TEAM NOTES

Baltimore Blast
baltimoreblast.com
2004-05 Record: 1-1
2004-05 Leader: Giuliano Celenza (3G, 1A)
2003-04 Record: 25-11, 1st in Eastern Division
2004 Championship Series: MISL Champions
2003-04 Leader: Carlos Farias (22 G, 43 A)

Blast Notes - The reigning king of the Eastern Division split two games with San Diego to open the season. Averaged an MISL-best 6.7 goals per game last year behind the blending of the talents of Denison Cabral, Giuiliano Celenza, Carlos "Chile" Farias, Tarik Walker, David Bascome, and Lee Tschantret. The Blast finished second in both power play and penalty kill situations in 2003-04, and played increasingly good team defense under first-year head coach Tim Wittman. Little roster turnover, though Sagu was acquired to replace retired goalkeeper Scott Hileman, and veteran defender Scott Schweitzer was signed. Received 2003-04 MISL Championship rings before 8,153 fans at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore on Oct. 16.

Chicago Storm
chicagostorm.net
2004-05 Record: 0-0
2004-05 Leader: N/A

(Expansion Club for 2004-05)

Storm Notes - Since he was announced as the team's first general manager and head coach on June 3, Frank Klopas has steadily assembled a roster consisting of proven soccer talents, with varying degrees of indoor experience. Former Major League Soccer standouts Chris Carrieri and Ted Chronopoulos are included in the line-up, as are familiar MISL names like Andy Guastaferro, Matthew Stewart, Sandre Naumoski, and Leo and Gaston Pernia. Stewart had 17 points and 25 blocks in playing 34 games for the Milwaukee Wave in 2003-04, and Leo Pernia was an MISL All-Star with 16 points and 28 blocks for the Dallas Sidekicks. Had a successful preseason, winning three of four games against MISL opponents.

Kansas City Comets
kccomets.com
2004-05 Record: 0-0
2004-05 Leader: N/A
2003-04 Record: 17-19, 2nd in Central Division
2003-04 Championship Series: Semifinals
2003-04 Leader: Dino Delevski (43G, 20A)

Comets Notes - This season, the Comets make the move to the Western Division, where they immediately become a crown contender. Two-time MISL MVP Dino Delevski totaled 43 goals last year to finish second in the League in that category. A Kansas City team that also included MISL Rookie of the Year Jamar Beasley, physical target player Anthony Maher, talented forward Miodrag Djerisilo, and stalwart defenders like Jeff Davis and Vlatko Andonovski, averaged 6.3 goals in 2003-04. No shortage of scorers here. The Comets, coached by Zoran Savic, must continue to improve defensively. Last year's mid-season signee - Brazilian goalkeeper, Sanaldo - helped Kansas City reach the postseason and advance to the Semifinals.

Cleveland Force
clevelandforce.com
2004-05 Record: 0-0
2004-05 Leader: N/A
2003-04 Record: 15-21, 3rd in Eastern Division
2004 Championship Series: Quarterfinals
2003-04 Leader: Lee Edgerton (23G, 15A), Hector Marinaro (22G, 16A)

Force Notes - Begins Eastern Division title chase with one of the League's better collections of young talent. Forward Joel Bailey also showed great promise last season. Add in veteran field players John Ball, Justin Evans, Gary DePalma, Sipho Sibiya, Robbie Aristodemo, Chris Handsor, goalkeeper Jim Larkin, and head coach Omid Namazi, and Cleveland has a nucleus that it expects will lead it to another postseason berth in 2004-05. Strengthened its defense with acquisitions of Rene Rivas and Wendell Regis. Must improve its play within the Eastern Division. Cleveland was a combined 1-11 against Baltimore and Philadelphia in 2003-04.

Milwaukee Wave
milwaukeewave.com
2004-05 Record: 0-0
2004-05 Leader: N/A
2003-04 Record: 27-9, 1st in Central Division
2004 Championship Series: Finals
2003-04 Leader: Greg Howes (57G, 28A)

Wave Notes - Known for its sustained run as a perennial contender in this League. In Milwaukee it starts with Keith Tozer, who is fast approaching 600 career professional indoor wins, more than any other head coach in the sport's history. Up top, the Wave features last season's MISL MVP and Spalding Scoring Champion, Greg Howes. With his powerful right foot, and innate knack for scoring goals, the now-27-year-old forward totaled 57 goals and 28 assists in 36 regular season games in 2003-04. Joined by twins Todd and Troy Dusosky, an All-Star target player and defender combo, defenders like Lovelace Ackah and Chris Morman, and goalkeepers Dan Green and Nick Vorberg, Milwaukee fields a side that will challenge again.

Monterrey Fury
monterreyfury.com/lafuriamonterrey.com
2004-05 Record: 0-0
2004-05 Leader: N/A
2003-04 Record: 10-26, 3rd in Western Division
2004 Championship Series: Did not qualify
2003-04 Leader: Genoni Martinez(39G, 28A)

Fury Notes - Mexico's MISL entrant fell short of the playoffs in its expansion season. Head coach Erich Geyer, who has signed a three-year contract extension with the team, has been involved with 13 professional indoor championships as player, coach or assistant. Defender Genoni Martinez is the MISL's two-time defending Defender of the Year, who finished second in the League in points last season, and was especially effective on restart opportunities. Forward Marco "Chikis" Lopez placed fifth in points, giving Monterrey a revered one-two punch. Acquired Claudio "El Diablo" Nunez, and David "Popeye" Oliva in the off-season.

Phladelphia KiXX
kixxonline.com
2004-05 Record: 0-0
2004-05 Leader: N/A
2003-04 Record: 20-16, 2nd in Eastern Division
2004 Championship Series: Quarterfinals
2003-04 Leader: Goran Vasic (14G, 34A)

KiXX - Started 2003-04 strong, but stumbled a bit following the All-Star break. As it was, this veteran team finished five games behind the Blast and qualified for the postseason. Led by goal-scoring machine, and player-head coach Don D'Ambra, the KiXX will again contend in 2004-05. Joel Shanker and Goran Vasic complement D'Ambra up front. Pat Morris is one of the League's most well-respected defenders. And goalkeeper Peter Pappas, who earned his third career shutout last season, is the MISL's reigning Goalkeeper of the Year. KiXX attempted a league-low 26 shots-per-game in 2003-04, but averaged 5.4 goals which ranked fifth out of nine teams. Open with two games on the road (Oct. 23, at Cle, Nov. 5, at Bal).

St. Louis Steamers
stlsteamers.com
2004-05 Record: 0-0
2004-05 Leading Scorer: N/A
2003-04 Record: 14-22, 3rd in Central Division
2004 Championship Series: Did not qualify
2003-04 Leader: Steve Butcher (31G, 17A)

Steamers Notes - In September, announced new ownership, a new logo, and a move to a downtown arena. But the face of the team remains St. Louis native and player-head coach Daryl Doran. Though Doran's accomplished playing career has spanned more than two decades, it's the blend of some less-seasoned veterans that will be counted on in St. Louis this year. In the offseason, the Steamers acquired forward Joe Reiniger, a long-time key to Milwaukee's success, for added punch up front. And in goalkeeper Brett Phillips, St. Louis has one of the best shot-stoppers in the MISL. New owners Wally Smerconish and Michael Hetelson have begun production on a reality television show that will focus on the franchise.

San Diego Sockers
sockers.com
2004-05 Record: 1-1
2004-05 Leader: Steve Butcher (2G, 2A)
2003-04 Record: 13-23, 2nd in Western Division
2004 Championship Series: Did not qualify
2003-04 Leader: Paul Wright (21G, 28A)

Sockers Notes - Riddled with injuries and bad breaks last season, the Sockers begin this year with a line-up that could contend. Spilt two opening meetings with Baltimore, both 5-3 games. San Diego, which was solid at the San Diego Sports Arena last year, but struggled mightily on the road in 2003-04, is relying on a healthy Mark Ughy, the team's physical target player, the emergence of new talents recruited from domestic outdoor leagues and from Brazil, and continued strong play from veterans like defender Sean Bowers, forward Paul Wright, and midfielder/forward Mariano Bollella. Goalkeeper Victor Nogueira has had the most decorated career of any keeper in the history of the indoor game.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from October 20, 2004


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