MISL News Release
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – The Major Indoor Soccer League announced on Tuesday that Baltimore Blast forward Machel Millwood had been named the league’s Player of the Week for the 16th week of the 2011-12 season. Millwood had a hat trick to lead the Blast to a 17-13 victory against the Milwaukee Wave on Saturday night, keeping his club’s chances of finishing with the best record in the league alive in the process.
In front of a season-high crowd of 9,644 at 1st Mariner Arena, Millwood put in a dominant display. He opened his account in the first quarter, getting the Blast on the board after they had fallen into an early four-point deficit. Then, with the game tied, he scored back-to-back goals in the third quarter to give the Blast a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Millwood has not only been a scoring force for the Blast this season, leading the team and sitting fourth in the MISL with 63 points, but has also played an integral role in the side’s build-up play. A powerful presence at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Millwood is equally adept with his back to goal, holding up play for his teammates to join the attack. He is the second player this season to earn a pair of MISL Player of the Week awards, joining his Blast teammate Adauto Neto.
Other players considered for this week’s award included Missouri Comets goalkeeper Danny Waltman, who continued his strong run of form with a 26-save performance against the Rochester Lancers in a 13-11 victory on Sunday. Waltman’s teammate Neto was also considered after his hat trick and seven-point game against the Lancers. Norfolk’s Matt Clare was also considered after he had a 12-point week in the SharX’s victories against Syracuse and Milwaukee.
The MISL season continues with seven games this week, all of which can be seen on MISL Live (www.misllivesoccer.com), the league’s free online video service. The week opens on Wednesday night as the Milwaukee Wave travel to face the Syracuse Silver Knights before Keith Tozer’s squad head to meet the Missouri Comets for a pair of games this weekend in a Central Division Finals preview.
Elsewhere, the Wichita Wings begin their final road-trip of the season with a visit to the northeast and games against the Rochester Lancers on Thursday night and Sunday afternoon. The Wings also meet the Silver Knights on Saturday evening. Rounding out the week, the Baltimore Blast continue their pursuit of the best record in MISL as they travel to face the Norfolk SharX on Sunday afternoon.