XSL Weekly Update

Published on February 25, 2009 under Xtreme Soccer League (XSL) News Release

A big man and a big impact At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Dan Antoniuk can't be missed on the soccer field. And if there was any question at all, Antoniuk made sure to get noticed with nine points and two victories in his first two games - both before ever practicing with the Chicago Storm. He was signed late last week, met the team in Detroit on Friday, passed his physical there before the game and dished out three assists as the Storm knocked off the top team in the league, 15-7. Two days later in Milwaukee, he racked up a 3-pointer, 2-pointer and an assist in a 17-16 victory.

A rookie's maturation In a four-team league, statistical rankings can change rapidly, but it's still worth noting that the second-leading scorer in the XSL is not a veteran. Rookie Marco Terminesi of Milwaukee has 27 points on one 3-pointer, 10 2-pointers and four assists. He's fourth in the league in shots and is known for his big left foot, but scored a veteran goal on Sunday against Chicago. Stationery to Jeff Richey's left, the veteran keeper had the angle advantage but Terminesi waited, then quickly slid a low shot to Richey's right before he could react.

Can they make the run? Chicago is last in the XSL, but is dangerous. The additions of Antoniuk and Freddy Moojen, plus a schedule that has six of its last seven games at home, means the Storm will have a lot to say about who wins the league - even, possibly, them. It starts with a home back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday, once again against league leaders Milwaukee and Detroit. New Jersey splits its last eight evenly between home and road, but has the next three games away from Prudential Center, starting Saturday in Detroit.

Xtreme Soccer League Stories from February 25, 2009

• XSL Weekly Update - XSL

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