Weekend Preview: Syracuse Silver Knights at Milwaukee Wave and Chicago Mustangs
February 11, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
SYRACUSE, New York - The Syracuse Silver Knights (8-7, Eastern Division #2) will look to clinch a playoff spot as they go on a Central Division road-swing this weekend against the Milwaukee Wave (12-6, Central Division #2) and Chicago Mustangs (10-6, Central Division #3) on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The Salt City club can earn a postseason birth, and eliminate the Detroit Waza Flo from contention with one win over the weekend. The Silver Knights would play the rival Rochester Lancers in the first round. It would be Tommy Tanner's second ever time in the playoffs.
"I expect to make it every year. I don't think it's anything special," the Syracuse boss said. "We're excited, but hopefully we're not too premature. Things would have to go really wrong for us not to make it."
Syracuse pushed the 2014 MISL Semifinals to a decisive Game 3 against the Baltimore Blast, before falling 4-3 at the Royal Farms Arena.
SSK return to action this weekend after a disappointing result last time out. They were upended by the Lancers 10-8 back on January 25.
On the bright side, Neto is in amazing form with 10 goals over his last four contests. The Brazilian is the team's leading scorer with 24 tallies.
Saturday's match against the Milwaukee Wave will be the Silver Knights debut for Jade Mesias. The forward joins the Orange, Silver and Black after beginning the season with the Harrisburg Heat. He had 6 scores with 3 helpers in 13 appearances for the Pennsylvania franchise.
"We played against him and I thought he was very tough...He gives us speed and quality on the ball," Tanner praised.
The Valentine's Day tilt will take the Knights to the home of an old MISL-rival. The Wave is led by the always dangerous Ian Bennett. The Hamilton, Ontario native is the league's 5th leading scorer with 34 goals.
Milwaukee holds an undefeated 8-0 mark against the New Yorkers. Nicolas Perera won the last meeting, a 15-13 overtime result for the Wisconsin side back on February 7, 2014.The Wave has outscored the Silver Knights 114-76 over the all-time series.
GK Bryan O'Quinn will take control of the penalty area on Saturday. The veteran is 5-6 so far with a 6.02 goals-against average.
Sunday's fixture is the first between the two sides in the 2014-2015 MASL campaign. The Silver Knights and Mustangs have never met in their history. The Orange, Silver and Black are 0-4 all time against clubs from the Windy City. Syracuse played Chicago Soul FC in the 2012-2013 MISL campaign.
The Mustangs are led by Miguel Vaca. The Midfielder has 14 goals with 9 assists for Armando Gamboa's outfit.
GK Rick Pflasterer is slated to play on Sunday. The Cornell University product is 3-1 with a 4.80 goals-against average.
"We're excited to go on the road. It's another back-to-back against two good teams. We don't play many out of division, we'll see how good we are," Tanner said.
Both matches will be broadcast on GoLiveSportsCast.com. They will be available shortly after its completion as on-demand content.
The Syracuse Silver Knights are back home at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena for the rest of the year. SSK host the Chicago Mustangs on Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. EST and Rochester Lancers on Sunday, February 22, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Syracuse finishes the regular season against the Detroit Waza Flo on Sunday, March 1, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Tickets to all Silver Knights home games will be available at the CNY Family Sports Centre, online at www.syracusesilverknights.com or over the phone at 315-303-7261.
Stay tuned to www.SyracuseSilverKnights.com and follow the club on Twitter @CuseKnights for all the latest news and information on the team ahead of this weekend's MASL matches against the Wave and Mustangs.
How to Follow the Syracuse Silver Knights at Milwaukee Wave
Kickoff: 7:05 p.m. EST at the UW-Milwakee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Broadcast: http://golivesportscast.com/milwaukee-wave-2014-2015-masl-game-schedule/
Online: The @CuseKnights Twitter Feed will provide match updates
How to Follow the Syracuse Silver Knights at Chicago Mustangs
Kickoff: 3:05 p.m. EST at the Sears Centre in Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: http://golivesportscast.com/chicago-mustangs-2014-2015-masl-game-schedule/
Online: The @CuseKnights Twitter Feed will provide match updates
Syracuse History v. Milwaukee
Milwaukee holds an undefeated 8-0 mark against the New Yorkers. Nicolas Perera won the last meeting, a 15-13 overtime result for the Wisconsin side back on February 7, 2014.The Wave has outscored the Silver Knights 114-76 over the all-time series.
Syracuse History v. Chicago
Sunday's fixture is the first between the two sides in the 2014-2015 MASL campaign. The Silver Knights and Mustangs have never met in their history. The Orange, Silver and Black is 0-4 all time against clubs from the Windy City. Syracuse played Chicago Soul FC in the 2012-2013 MISL campaign.
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