MISL News Release
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – The Major Indoor Soccer League continued its strong showing at the turnstiles, with more than 20,000 fans attending games during the long holiday weekend, the third consecutive week the league topped that figure. Those fans were treated to an exciting weekend of action on the field that saw dramatic rallies fall just short, and one of the league’s new franchises win its first game of the season.
Almost 75,000 fans have now attended MISL games this season, with more than 5,000 fans attending the Rochester Lancers’ Saturday matinee against the Baltimore Blast at Blue Cross Arena. The Blast continued their strong run of form, taking a pair of victories to move into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Division ahead of a return visit to Rochester this Saturday night, where the Lancers will be looking for revenge.
Rochester has seen big crowds all season, currently averaging 5,852 after three games, second-highest in the league. The return of the historic Lancers name has proven a big success for the strong soccer community in Rochester.
This weekend appears set to provide more high-scoring and fast-paced action, with the Lancers opening the six-game schedule by travelling to Norfolk to face the SharX on Thursday night at Scope Arena at 7 p.m. While winless, the SharX have shown a marked improvement and hope a return home brings them their first win of the season.
The Wichta Wings, who continue to average more than 4,000 fans per game, have a pair of home games at Hartman Arena this weekend, welcoming the Syracuse Silver Knights on Friday night before their second meeting this season with Norfolk on Saturday. Wichita’s Jamar Beasley is tied for second in the league with 23 points and played a key role in the Wings’ first victory of the season against Norfolk this past Friday.
Friday night also sees arguably the biggest game of the weekend as the Missouri Comets travel to face the defending champion Milwaukee Wave at U.S. Cellular Arena. After a thrilling playoff contest last season, the Wave edged out the Comets 11-6 in their first meeting this season. Expect another close contest here before the Comets head home to face the Silver Knights on Sunday afternoon.