The Week That Was 3/13/23
It was Spoiler Week but the playoff, and potential playoff teams all won their games, often handily. History was made in Grand Rapids, though, when Rapid City FC clinched the Eastern Division title. Even more historic was the start by Detroit Waza Flo goalkeeper Braeleigh McCoy, who became the first woman goalkeeper to play in a professional men's indoor soccer game. McCoy gamely made 19 saves in her MLIS debut.
Elsewhere the Cleveland Crunch clinched a playoff spot and the Chicago Mustangs and Wichita Selection stayed alive for the last Wild Card spot, while the Springfield Demize were eliminated. Fin Sallows set a new MLIS record with seven goals, albeit in a 12-9 loss. Admir Suljevic set an MLIS record with 11 points in a game and Suljevic and Mikey Derezic each set a new record with six assists.
Friday, March 17
Grand Rapids 12 Cincinnati 9 F
Fin Sallows set a new MLIS record with seven goals, but the rest of his Cincinnati Swerve teammates got outscored 12-2 by Rapid City FC. Five players had two goals each for Grand Rapids, who clinched a playoff spot by improving to 9-2. It was the 6th straight win for Rapid City.
Saturday, March 18
Omaha 17 Milwaukee 2 F
The Omaha Kings ended their home schedule with a convincing 17-2 win over the Brew City United. Manny Lira extended his MLIS goals and points leads with three goals and three assists, making him the first players to break the 30 goal and 50 point marks. Guilherme Alencar and Gabe Gaiotto had three goals and two assists apiece.
Cleveland 19 Detroit 3 F
Admir Suljevic set a new MLIS record with 11 points and he, Mikey Derezic, and Tom Beck combined for 28 points as the Cleveland Crunch beat up on the Detroit Waza Flo 19-3 before a sold out home crowd at the Soccer Sportsplex on Benny Dargle Mullet Night. Suljevic and Derezic also became the first and second MLIS players to dish out six assists in a game.
Wichita 19 Austin 4 F
The Wichita Selection kept their playoff hopes alive with an easy 19-4 win over the Austin Emerald. Wichita only scored two goals in the first 23 minutes of the game, but exploded for 14 second half goals. Tommy Fiszel led the way with three goals and three assists. Andric McGill had four goals and an assist, Leonardo Barba had three goals and an assist, and Radley Arnold was held without a goal, but had five assists.
Chicago 10 Rockford 7 F
Uno Gabriel and Jimmy Matthew had two goals each for the Chicago Mustangs in a 10-7 win that improved their record to 8-3. The Illinois State Line Falcons were outscored 8-4 in the second half after taking a 3-2 halftime lead.
Sunday, March 19
Wichita 17 Austin 6 F
The Wichita Selection kept their playoff hopes alive and finished the regular season with an 8-4 record after a 17-6 win over the Austin Emerald. Austin finished their first MLIS season with a winless record at 0-12. Radley Arnold and Andric McGill had five goals each for Wichita
Grand Rapids 13 Detroit 4 F
History was made for the Detroit Waza Flo and goalkeeper Braeleigh McCoy, but Rapid City FC made their own history, clinching the Eastern Division title with a 13-4 win. Jerman Juarez and Alex Mendez had hat tricks for Grand Rapids in their seventh straight win.
Cleveland 15 Cincinnati 8 F
Admir Suljevic joined the league's 50-point club with three goals and two assists, while Ryan Minick and Gabriel Pewu had hat tricks of their own for the Cleveland Crunch, who clinched a playoff spot with a 15-8 win over the Cincinnati Swerve. The Crunch finish the regular season with a 9-3 record. Cincinnati fell to 3-8, 0-5 on the road.