NISL Announces 08-09 All-NISL Teams
April 7, 2009 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) News Release
The National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) announced today the All-NISL teams for the 2008-09 regular season. The First-Team is highlighted by Baltimore Blast goalkeeper Sagu who anchored the Blast's League-leading defense and Monterey forward Byron Alvarez who led the NISL with 56 points this season. The All-NISL Teams were selected following a formal voting process that polled members of the media, as well as NISL coaches and general managers.
Joining Sagu and Alvarez on the First-Team are forward Machel Millwood (Baltimore Blast), midfielder Ricardinho (Philadelphia KiXX) and defenders Genoni Martinez (Monterrey La RaZa) and Pat Morris (Philadelphia KiXX). Voters were asked to select to complete teams of All-NISL players; a first-team vote was worth two points and a second-team vote was worth one point. Each voter was asked to choose one goalkeeper, two defenders and three midfielders/forwards for each team.
The All-NISL Second-Team features goalkeeper Sanaldo (Rockford Rampage), defenders PJ Wakefield (Baltimore Blast) and Tijani Ayegbusi (Rockford Rampage), midfielder Matthew Stewart (Rockford Rampage) and forwards Hewerton Moreira (Philadelphia KiXX) and Bato Radoncic (Rockford Rampge). Stewart, who earned the most votes among the Second-Team, led the Rampage and ranked second in the League with 53 points in 16 games this season.
The Rockford Rampage has the most All-NISL players this season (four on the Second-Team), followed by Baltimore and Philadelphia with three each and Monterrey with two. The Baltimore Blast clinched the regular season title and will host the Rampage in the 2009 NISL Championship Game on Saturday. Rockford defeated the Monterrey La RaZa, two-games-to-one, in last week's Semifinals.
About the National Indoor Soccer League The National Indoor Soccer League was launched in September of 2008 and consists of five founding members; the Baltimore Blast, La RaZa de Monterrey, Philadelphia KiXX, Rockford Rampage and the Massachusetts Twisters. The NISL has formed a working relationship with the United Soccer Leagues (USL) and has received provisional membership in the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
The NISL kicked off its inaugural season on November 15th and concluded on March 29th. The 2009 NISL Championship Series consisted of three of the five NISL clubs competing in two rounds, the Semifinal Round and the Championship Game (April 11). The Rockford Rampage defeated the Monterrey La RaZa in the Semifinals to advance to play the Baltimore Blast in the Championship Game. The Blast claimed the regular season title and earned an automatic bye to host the Championship Game at 1st Mariner Arena on Saturday, April 11.
2009 NISL Championship Game:
Saturday, April 11 at 1st Mariner Arena, 7:35 p.m. ET
Baltimore Blast vs. Rockford Rampage
2008-09 All-NISL
First Team
Pos Player Team Games Points Goals Assists Blocks
F Byron Alvarez Monterrey 18 56 (1st) 22 (1st) 11 7
D Pat Morris Philadelphia 18 51 (3rd) 17 11 18
M Ricardinho Philadelphia 17 49 (4th) 13 22 (1st) 5
F Machel Millwood Baltimore 15 48 (5th) 18 (5th) 12 6
D Genoni Martinez Monterrey 17 35 6 20 (2nd) 33
Pos Player Team Games Minutes P.A.A. Record Save Pct.
GK Sagu Baltimore 15 834 (4th) 7.48 (1st) 11-4 (1st) 78.6 (1st)
2008-09 All-NISL
Second Team
Pos Player Team Games Points Goals Assists Blocks
M Matthew Stewart Rockford 16 53 (2nd) 22 (2nd) 7 10
F Hewerton Moreira Philadelphia 9 47 (6th) 17 9 2
F Bato Radoncic Rockford 18 39 (10th) 17 4 5
D PJ Wakefield Baltimore 18 30 (20th) 11 6 21
D Tijani Ayegbusi Rockford 17 10 4 1 28
Pos Player Team Games Minutes P.A.A. Record Save Pct.
GK Sanaldo Rockford 18 1059 (1st) 9.01 (2nd) 10-8 (T-2nd) 68.9 (2nd)
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Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from April 7, 2009
- Pat Healey Named 2008-09 NISL Rookie of the Year - Rockford Rampage
- Pat Healey Named 2008-09 NISL Rookie of the Year - MISL
- NISL Announces 08-09 All-Rookie Team - MISL
- Sagu Named 2008-09 NISL Goalkeeper of the Year - MISL
- Danny Kelly Named 2008-09 NISL Coach of the Year - MISL
- Pat Morris Named NISL Defender of the Year - Philadelphia KiXX
- NISL Announces 08-09 All-NISL Teams - MISL
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