Wichita to Host Syracuse, Chicago
December 26, 2012 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Wichita Wings News Release
Wichita, KS. - The Wichita Wings of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) will host both the Syracuse Silver Knights and the Chicago Soul this weekend in Hartman Arena. The Wings are set to play the Silver Knights (5-6) for the third time this season on Friday, December 28 at 7:35 p.m. (CST) and on December 29 at 7:35 p.m. (CST) will take on the Chicago Soul for the first ever meeting between the two clubs.
After claiming a big 10-6 win last weekend over rival Missouri Comets, Wichita currently sits at 3-6 on the season, only two games out of fourth place in the league. The Wings are hoping to use the same firepower from last weekend to earn wins against Syracuse and Chicago. In both matches the two clubs have played this season, the Wings have proved themselves against the Silver Knights with two wins in overtime to lead the series, 2-0. The last match between Wichita and Syracuse seemed to be a repeat of the first, with the Wings pulling out a 12-10 victory in overtime, led by ex-Silver Knight, Matt Clare, and Geison. This will be the second meeting between the two teams since the Wings swapped Jamar Beasley and Bryan Perez for Matt Clare and Andre Berenzon.
Since their last match against Wichita on December 8, Syracuse has been on the upswing, pummeling Missouri 18-8, and sliding by Rochester with a 16-14 victory to improve to fourth in MISL standings. Syracuse will look for leadership on the field from forward Neto, who sits fourth in the league in scoring with 35 points on the season thus far. Before their travel to Wichita this weekend, the Silver Knights will face the Milwaukee Wave (5-2) Wednesday night in Oncenter War Memorial Arena at 7:00 p.m. (EST).
In their inaugural season, the Chicago Soul lay at the bottom of league standings at 3-8. Although the Soul have struggled this season, they are fresh off their first home win in the Sears Centre Arena, handing the previously undefeated Baltimore Blast their first loss of the season. Led by Eric Lukin, Ephraim Beard, and Carlos Munoz, Chicago was able to pull off a close 12-10 win to earn their third win of the season.
Key Match Up: Wichita Offense vs. Syracuse and Chicago Defense Though Wichita was able to lock away their third win of the season courtesy of the Missouri Comets, the Wings are still struggling to produce the points necessary to win comfortably against their opponents. In their last two matches, Syracuse's defense has given up an average of 11 points and Chicago's defense has allowed an average of 9.5 points, while the Wings' offense has scored an average of 9 points per game this season. These two matchups will tell whether Wichita's offense has the ability to adapt to both club's defenses in order to put points on the board.
Player to Watch: Geison Geison will be a significant component in the Wings' ability to score the points needed to earn the team a pair of wins this weekend. In Wichita's win over Missouri, Geison tallied five points, and four against Syracuse including the game winner in their crucial defeat over the Silver Knights. Geison presently leads the Wings in points scored at 24, which proves just how important it will be that he can convert on scoring opportunities against Syracuse and Chicago.
To keep up with all the latest Wings news and to purchase your tickets for the next Wichita Wings home game on December 28 against the Syracuse Silver Knights and December 29 against the Chicago Soul, visit www.wichitawingsindoorsoccer.com. Be sure to follow the team on Facebook and Twitter @wichita_wings.
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Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from December 26, 2012
- Knights Drop Heart Breaker to Wave, 12-11 - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Late Game Goal Gives Wave the Win - Milwaukee Wave
- Chris Economides to be Honorary Captain in His Return to Rochester - Rochester Lancers
- Syracuse's Perez Named Player of the Week - MISL
- Wichita to Host Syracuse, Chicago - Wichita Wings
- Lancers to Host Wave Tomorrow - Rochester Lancers
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