MISL Defender of the Year - Pat Morris
WESTPORT, Conn. (Wednesday, May 4, 2005) – The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced today that Philadelphia’s Pat Morris has been named the 2004-05 MISL Defender of the Year. The Philadelphia KiXX defender, who received his fourth All-MISL honor of his career last week, was selected for this award following a week-long balloting process that polled media and team personnel and concluded on Monday, April 25, one day after the conclusion of the MISL regular season.
Morris received nearly 82 percent of the first-place votes and won his first Defender of the Year award of his six-year career. Voters were asked to cast a first-place vote (worth five points), a second-place vote (three points), and third-place vote (one point) for eligible defenders. Morris appeared on 97 percent of the ballots.
“I’m very honored to be named the MISL’s Defender of the Year, it is a very prestigious award,” Morris said. “I’d like to thank my coaches, Don D’Ambra, Sam Lee, Kevin Sloan and Adam Bruckner, and all of my teammates for their hard work and everything we’ve accomplished together this season.”
The Philadelphia native led the MISL in blocks (93) in 2004-05, and finished among the League’s top-20 scorers in points (43), goals (22) and assists (21). The Philadelphia University graduate recorded the 350th block of his career, his 100th career goal and appeared in his 200th career game during the season. Morris, 27, enjoyed a 12-game point streak and also received a League-high six MISL Defensive Player of the Week awards for the seven-day periods ending October 24, November 7, December 12, December 19, January 30, and April 3. He was named the MISL Defensive Player of the Month for December.
Morris helped lead Philadelphia to a third-place standing in the MISL Regular Season (22-17), and a postseason appearance last weekend. The KiXX have qualified for the postseason for nine consecutive seasons.
“Pat has enjoyed a tremendous season and has once again raised his game to another level” KiXX Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Bibb stated. “He seems to get better every year and has proven to be one of the game’s finest two-way players. In addition, he’s also our captain, our locker room leader and an outstanding teammate. Pat Morris is very deserving of this honor and I’m excited about his future in the MISL and with the Philadelphia KiXX.”
ABOUT THE MISL The Major Indoor Soccer League is a single-entity organization featuring a coast-to-coast presence with seven teams located across the United States. The MISL is the single major league of indoor soccer. In February of 2004, the League announced an expansion team in Stockton, CA, that will begin play in 2005-06. On May 4, 2004, the League announced plans for an expansion team in Newark, NJ, that will begin play in 2007-08. The 2005 MISL Championship Series Finals will feature the Milwaukee Wave and the Cleveland Force and is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee (Game One) and Saturday, May 21 at Savvis Center in St. Louis (Game Two). The MISL Championship Series Finals will be telecast live in prime time on ESPN2. For more information on the MISL, visit the League’s website at www.MISL.net.