Storm Take Two Out of Three Weekly Awards

Published on November 27, 2006 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release


CHICAGO, IL - The Major Indoor Soccer League has announced its' Players of the Week for November 27, 2006 and the first place Chicago Storm took two out of the three possible awards. Rookie defenseman Chris Brisson was named the Defender of the Week and goalkeeper Jim Larkin earned the Goalkeeper of the Week honors for the second time this season. Also honored was Philadelphia's Edgar Bartolomeu, who was named the Offensive Player of the Week.

Chris Brisson's remarkable ascent from open tryout competitor in October to today's selection as the MISL's Defensive Player of the Week for the last set of games in November, has provided the Storm a tremendous lift along their defensive backline. The 24-year-old defender and MISL rookie scored his first goal one week ago - a game-winner. Then on Sunday he added his first MISL assist, successfully finding Jorge Valle with a long pass, that resulted in a third quarter goal for Chicago. The first-place Storm also received a block from Brisson, the first of his young professional indoor career. Chris becomes the fourth Storm defender to win the award in the teams' brief three year history. A native of Hugo, Minn., the 5-foot-9, 160-pound defender was added to the Storm's roster following an open tryout prior to the season having played in eight games, and starting two, for the Minnesota Thunder (USL-I), over the summer. Brisson, nicknamed "Brees," graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in business marketing following a highly-successful career with the Panthers. During his Panthers' tenure the club qualified for the NCAA Tournament four times (2001-2004). In college, Brisson totaled seven goals, 11 assists, a 2001 All-Horizon League Newcomer Team honor and a 2004 Horizon League All-Tournament Team distinction. Brisson's appearance in Sunday's 12-10 overtime win against the Milwaukee Wave was just his third career game in a Chicago Storm uniform.

Storm head coach Steve Morris talked about the rookie defender. "Chris continues to be a solid contributor. He's a heady soccer player and plays with indoor intelligence beyond his experience."

Jim Larkin improved to 3-1 on the season with Sunday's 12-10 overtime victory versus the Milwaukee Wave at Sears Centre on Sunday. With that, the Chicago Storm improved to 3-1, to assume sole possession of first-pace in the Major Indoor Soccer League standings, the best start in the club's three-year history, and earn Larkin his second MISL Goalkeeper of the Month recognition in November (Nov. 6), and the 16th of his eight-year tenure in the League. The Storm's goalkeeper/assistant coach earned the 88th victory of his professional career on Sunday, making 14 saves against rival Milwaukee, including seven in a third quarter during which the Storm recovered from a 6-0 deficit to tie the game at 6 entering the fourth period. The Storm ultimately won the game in a Chicago-dominated overtime period on a counter-attack goal by midfielder Mariano Bollella. Larkin, a Toronto native, who played last season with the California Cougars, won the Goalkeeper of the Week honor three times in the 2005-06 Major Indoor Soccer League regular season (Jan. 9, Feb. 13, Feb. 27), as he surpassed 11,000 minutes of playing time in goal for his career. This season the 31-year-old Larkin, who stands 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, is 3-1 in starting each of the Storm's first four games, and 2-0 against the rival Milwaukee Wave.

Larkin is the third different goalkeeper to win the award as a member of the Storm (Danny Waltman, Jeff Richey) and it's the ninth time in the team's history that a Storm keeper has been awarded the MISL Goalkeeper of the Week award.

Coach Morris was pleased with Larkin's nomination. "Jim was outstanding on Sunday. When asked to make big saves he answered. He continues to give us leadership and direction out of the back and thoroughly deserves the Goalkeeper of the Week honors."

The Chicago Storm is a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). Chicago's professional indoor soccer team, plays its' home games at the all-new Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. The Storm's next home game is Saturday, December 2, versus the Detroit Ignition at 1pm. Great tickets are available! Storm offices are located at 1945 Cornell Ave., in Melrose Park. For additional information on all aspects of Chicago Storm soccer including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and Chicago Storm Summer Soccer Camps call (224) 653-GOAL (4625).

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