Syracuse Looks to Clinch Playoff Spot with Matches against Harrisburg and Milwaukee
February 23, 2018 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
The Syracuse Silver Knights (12-7) look to secure a spot in the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs as they play two matches this weekend against the Harrisburg Heat (5-15) and the Milwaukee Wave (15-4). The Silver Knights' magic number to clinch a playoff spot stands at one. A Silver Knights win or a Florida Tropics loss puts Syracuse into the playoffs.
Syracuse swept St. Louis last weekend, winning two games 7-5 and 4-3. The Silver Knights also secured the series sweep over the Ambush with the victories last weekend.
Harrisburg dropped its last game to Kansas City last weekend 8-7. The Comets scored two goals within the last five minutes of the game to gain the lead over the Heat.
Milwaukee defeated Baltimore 5-1 last Saturday. The Wave held the Blast to its lowest goal total of the season with the victory.
Here are five things to look for over the Silver Knights' two game weekend:
1. One more game
Syracuse can enter the Harrisburg match with a playoff spot already clinched. Before the Silver Knights play the Heat on Saturday, the Florida Tropics travel to play Harrisburg first on Friday night. Should Florida lose that match, Syracuse will have secured its spot in the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs. Either way, any Syracuse win or Florida loss over the next two weekends will push the Silver Knights into the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs.
2. Gaining on the league leaders
Joey Tavernese's historic season continues for Syracuse. He already has set new single-season records for the club with 49 points, 24 assists and counting. Tavernese now ranks third in the MASL in both of those categories. His 25 goals also puts him seventh in the MASL for that category. Taverense also enjoys playing against the Heat. He has recorded at least three points in five of the last seven matches against Harrisburg.
3. Limping to the finish line
After making the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs last season, Harrisburg has limped to the finish line this season. The Heat have lost seven straight games. Harrisburg's last victory was at Cedar Rapids on January 12th. The last home victory for the Heat came back on December 16th against Baltimore in a shootout. This weekend marks Harrisburg's last games of the season, and the Heat look for a strong finish to the campaign.
4. A dogfight against the East
Milwaukee is in the midst of an Eastern Division gauntlet. Three of the Wave's last four games have been against Eastern opposition in Baltimore and Syracuse. The next three matches for the Wave are against the Blast, the Silver Knights, and the Tropics. Milwaukee is 2-1 in its matches this season against the MASL Eastern Division. The lone loss for the Wave came at home against Baltimore due to a Tony Donatelli game-winning goal with eight seconds left in the game.
5. Revenge against Lemos
Josh Lemos continues to excel in net for Milwaukee. In his last match, Lemos made 14 saves and allowed only one goal in a 5-1 win for Milwaukee over Baltimore. The last time that he faced Syracuse, he was a stone wall in front of goal. Lemos didn't allow a single goal to record only the second MASL clean sheet this season. Syracuse looks to put one past Lemos on Sunday.
The game at Harrisburg kicks off on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The match against Milwaukee kicks off on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. Fans can watch both matches online at MASL.tv. For tickets and more information, call 315-303-7261 or log on to syracusesilverknights.com.
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Major Arena Soccer League Stories from February 23, 2018
- Barracudas lose at Turlock - Rio Grande Valley Barracudas FC
- Wave Falls to Blast in Final Game of Three-Game Series; Faces Syracuse Sunday Afternoon - Milwaukee Wave
- Tropics Head to Baltimore with Slim Playoff Hopes Still Alive After 12-9 Win vs. Heat - Florida Tropics SC
- Blast Defeat Milwaukee 9-6 - Baltimore Blast
- San Diego Sockers Match Preview vs. Rio Grande Valley - San Diego Sockers
- Kansas City Comets Head on Southwest Tour - Kansas City Comets
- Syracuse Looks to Clinch Playoff Spot with Matches against Harrisburg and Milwaukee - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Florida Tropics SC Start Final Road Trips of Season with Stop in Harrisburg, Baltimore - Florida Tropics SC
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