Syracuse Hosts Florida in Crucial MASL Eastern Division Match
January 27, 2018 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
Both teams enter Sunday's match tied for second place in MASL Eastern Division
The Syracuse Silver Knights (7-6) and the Florida Tropics (7-6) play one of the most important match in the MASL season on Sunday. Both teams are tied for second play in the MASL Eastern Division.
Syracuse comes off a three-game road trip against the MASL Central Division last weekend. The Silver Knights went 2-1, with both wins coming against St. Louis and the loss coming at the hands of Milwaukee.
Florida's last game was a 7-6 win against Kansas City. The Tropics burst out to a 5-1 lead at halftime and barely held on after the Comets scored two goals with under five minutes left in the match. Florida plays a match in Harrisburg against the Heat on Saturday before traveling up to Central New York.
Here are five things to watch for during Sunday's Syracuse-Florida Match
1. Even match on paper
Both teams enter Sunday's match with identical 7-6 records. That's not where the similarities end between both teams. Syracuse and Florida each have a minus-one goal differential and are on one game winning streaks. Both teams also have identical penalty kill records, as Syracuse and Florida have successfully killed 14 of 23 power plays. The forwards for both teams also produce similar numbers. The top three forward for both Syracuse and Florida have combined to record 67 points for their respective teams.
2. Historic season for Tavernese
Joey Taverense has been on fire for Syracuse. He was just named to his second MASL Team of the Week this season. The forward scored four goals and recorded three assists in both of the Silver Knights' wins against St. Louis. Tavernese is close to setting new single season records for the Silver Knights as well. He is 10 points away from setting a new single season record in points and six assists away from setting a new single season record in assists.
3. #CoughlinSaves
Andrew Coughlin continues to keep Syracuse in games with his work in front of the net. Coughlin made 26 saves on Sunday - a new career high - and 50 saves over the weekend. His performance over the weekend earned Coughlin an honorable mention in this week's MASL Team of the Week. Coughlin also has 177 saves on the season - which is a new career high. He ranks in the top four in saves and save percentage in the MASL.
4. Adjustments in midfield
Syracuse plays on Sunday without one of its key playmakers. Kenardo Forbes is suspended for Sunday's match due to receiving a red card in last Sunday's match against St. Louis. Forbes has record hat tricks in two of the three games that Syracuse has played against the Tropics. Nate Bourdeau will lead the charge in midfield for Syracuse.
5. Momentum on the line
Syracuse and Florida are tied for second place in the MASL Eastern Division. With the top two teams in each division qualifying for the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs, Sunday's match is extremely crucial towards building momentum for the end of the season. The winner of Sunday's match puts themselves firmly in the driver's seat towards earning one of the playoff spots in the MASL Eastern Division.
Kickoff for Sunday's match is set for 4:05 p.m. Those who cannot make it to the Oncenter War Memorial Arena can view the match online at MASL.tv.
For tickets to Sunday's match and more information on the remaining Silver Knights games, call 315-303-7261 or log on to syracusesilverknights.com
• Discuss this story on the Major Arena Soccer League message board...
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from January 27, 2018
- Blast Defeat Harrisburg 4-2, Led by 2 points each from Donatelli and Dantas - Baltimore Blast
- MKE WAVE HUNGRY FOR ANOTHER VICTORY AGAINST ST. LOUIS - Milwaukee Wave
- Week 14 Preview - Barracudas to host Coyotes in division match - Brownsville Barracudas
- Syracuse Hosts Florida in Crucial MASL Eastern Division Match - Syracuse Silver Knights
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.
