MISL News Release
Monday, November 14, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Major Indoor Soccer League continued to show strongly at the box office in its second weekend with more than 20,000 fans in attendance for the league’s four remaining home openers in Norfolk, Rochester, Baltimore and Milwaukee. That came on the back of almost 13,000 fans attending the opening weekend’s three games.
“We are delighted with the continued strong attendance figures from our teams,” MISL League Director Chris Economides said. “To average over 5,000 fans per game for this weekend’s contests, with more watching online via MISL Live, shows that we are in for an exciting season on and off the field.”
The Baltimore Blast led the attendance figures, with 8,078 fans at the 1st Mariner Arena for their home opener against the Syracuse Silver Knights, the highest attendance figure for the league this season. The Silver Knights, who have been the surprise success of the early season, spoiled the opener for the Blast’s fans though, taking an 18-7 victory to move to 3-0 on the season.
The Rochester Lancers also had a strong showing for their home opener against the Missouri Comets, with 6,528 fans in attendance at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Comets proved too much for their hosts in a 13-4 victory, although the Lancers fans were thrilled by Mauricio Salles’ brilliant bicycle kick in the third quarter, a bright spot for Rochester in the defeat that is already considered a contender for goal of the season.
The Milwaukee Wave and Norfolk SharX also drew well for their home openers, the Wave unveiling their 2010-11 championship banner before a thrilling 15-13 victory against the Wichita Wings in the most competitive game of the weekend. Wave captain Greg Howes scored what proved to be the game-winner with 2 minutes, 17 seconds to play, lifting his side to victory in the opening game of its title defense.
The MISL is now averaging 4,692 fans for the season. The season continues next Friday night, with the Baltimore Blast travelling to face the Missouri Comets at the Independence Events Center kicking off a five-game weekend that is capped by a playoff contest from last season between the Comets and the Milwaukee Wave.