MISL News Release
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – The Major Indoor Soccer League announced on Tuesday that Baltimore Blast forward Adauto Neto had been named the league’s Player of the Week for the fourth week of the 2011-12 season. The 2005-06 MISL Most Valuable Player had eight points in two games, helping the Blast extend their winning streak to four with victories against Rochester and Syracuse.
Neto got the weekend off to a strong start as he recorded a hat trick for the Blast in their 26-9 victory against the Lancers. The Brazilian had a pair of goals and an assist in the first quarter as the Blast built a 12-3 lead, and then capped the victory with a power-play goal late in the fourth quarter. The following day he had an assist as the Blast pulled away from the Silver Knights in the second half for an 18-10 victory.
Coming back from knee injuries that limited him to 11 games and 25 points last season, Neto appears to be getting back into the form that saw him pick up the league’s MVP award. Currently second on the Blast with 13 points, and tied for the team lead with four assists, his experience has helped Baltimore’s retooled lineup settle after a defeat to open the season.
Other players considered for the award included Milwaukee’s J.P. Rodrigues, who played a key role in the Wave’s 13-10 victory against Wichita. A defender, Rodrigues helped the Wave shut out the Wings for three quarters while also adding two goals and an assist. Neto’s teammate Pat Healey was also nominated after recording six points in the Blast’s two victories while also recording a remarkable six blocked shots. Also nominated was Missouri forward Geison, who had a six-point game as the Comets ended a two-game losing streak with victory against Norfolk.
The MISL season continues with six games this weekend, including the Wichita Wings looking to build on a victory in their last home game when they host the Syracuse Silver Knights and Norfolk SharX at Hartman Arena on Friday and Saturday night. The week’s schedule kicks off on Thursday night as the SharX host the Rochester Lancers, with a rematch of the 2010-11 MISL Playoff semifinal between the Milwaukee Wave and Missouri Comets scheduled for Friday night.
Four of the weekend’s games will be streamed live on MISL Live (MISLlivesoccer.com), with the battle for position in the Eastern Division continuing when the Rochester Lancers host the Baltimore Blast on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET. Then on Sunday, the two top-scoring teams in the league meet as the Syracuse Silver Knights face the Missouri Comets at 4:10 p.m.