Silver Knights and Tropics play for fifth time in history
November 30, 2017 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
Syracuse travels to Florida in Eastern Division Showdown
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Silver Knights travel to Lakeland, Florida to play the Florida Tropics. Both teams are set to play for the fifth time in MASL History.
Syracuse lost its last match back on November 17th. The Baltimore Blast held off the Silver Knights for a 7-6 win.
Florida defeated the Blast in its last contest on November 18th. The Tropics won 5-4 thanks to a goal from Lucas Teixeria with 19 seconds left in regulation.
Here are five things to watch in Syracuse's match against Florida:
1. Too Close to Call
Every match that Syracuse has played this season has been decided by one goal. Three of the four games that the Silver Knights played have been decided by a 7-6 score. The fourth Syracuse game to be decided by one goal last season was on January 27th, the 12th match of the season.
2. New Points Leader
In Syracuse's loss to Baltimore, Joey Tavernese recorded three assists. That performance raised the Queens native's points total to 10 - the top mark for the Silver Knights this season. Tavernese now ranks eight in the MASL in points. His five assists also leads Syracuse and is tied for sixth in the MASL.
3. Stone Wall
Despite the three losses, the Syracuse defense has been impressive to start the MASL season. Veteran defender Darren Toby leads the entire MASL with 12 blocked shots. Domenico Vitale, another one of the many veteran defenders for the Silver Knights, is tied for ninth in the MASL with six blocked shots. The defense is doing what it can to help Andrew Coughlin in front of goal.
4. The Brazilians Lead the Charge
Up top, the Tropics are led by three men born in Brazil. Freddy Moojen and Ricardo De Queiroz Diegues led the Tropics last year. Both tallied 17 goals while Moojen tallied 13 assists to Diegues' seven assists. Mauricio Salles joined the Tropics this year after splitting time last season between Ontario and Sonora. He scored 18 goals last season. All three men led the Tropics in points this season. Moojen has 10 points, while Diegues and Salles have seven.
5. Break the Streak
Syracuse has yet to win at the RP Funding Center. The Silver Knights lost both matches they played in Lakeland last season. The first game was a defensive affair, with the Tropics squeaking by 3-2. Piotr Sliwa made 17 saves in that game for Florida. The second showcased the offensive abilities of both teams, with the Tropics winning 12-10. Both Diegues and Moojen recorded hat tricks in that match.
Friday's match kicks off at 7:35 p.m. The match can be viewed on MASL.tv. Syracuse and Florida face off again on December 9th in the next home match for the Silver Knights. It's Star Wars Night at the OnCenter War Memorial Arena.
For information on tickets, call 315-303-7261, or log on to syracusesilverknights.com.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from November 30, 2017
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