MISL Goalkeeper of the Year - Peter Pappas
WESTPORT, Conn. (Thursday, May 5, 2005) – The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced today that Philadelphia’s Peter Pappas has been named the 2004-05 MISL Goalkeeper of the Year. The Philadelphia KiXX goalkeeper, who received the seventh All-League 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. Pappas wins his second consecutive MISL Goalkeeper of the Year award, and second in his nine-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. Pappas’ name appeared on nearly 94 percent of the ballots.
“Although this is an individual award,” Pappas said, “to be MISL Goalkeeper of the Year, the team in front has to play well and play the right way. Despite a lot of new faces on our team, we did a great job playing together with team defensive soccer. My success is a product of the team’s success.”
A 32-year-old and native of Toronto, Ontario, Pappas finished among the MISL leaders in nearly every goalkeeping category; including second in goals against average (4.34), minutes played (2,086), saves (449), and save percentage (.748). The Philadelphia University product was third in the MISL in goalkeeper wins (19). In addition to his two MISL Goalkeeper of the Month awards (January and April), the seven-time all-star also received six MISL Goalkeeper of the Week accolades, the most among all goalkeepers this season. In addition, Pappas registered the 4,000th save of his illustrious career in Baltimore on January 21. Later he appeared in his 300th career contest versus St. Louis on January 29.
Pappas helped lead Philadelphia to a 22-17 record, and their ninth consecutive postseason appearance.
“Peter has proven to be a model of consistency in goal for the Philadelphia KiXX,” KiXX Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Bibb stated. “To be honored as the MISL Goalkeeper of the Year for the second consecutive season is a tremendous achievement and I’m happy that Peter receives the recognition he justly deserves as the game’s premier goalkeeper. Peter continues to craft a career that is worthy of consideration among the all-time finest in indoor soccer goalkeeping history and I’m thrilled to have him do so as a part of 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.