KiXX Earn Two Of Three Weekly League Honors

Monday, December 29, 2003

By David Deal
Philadelphia KiXX Director of Communitions

The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced today that the Philadelphia KiXX has received two-of-the-three individual weekly League honors for the seven-day period ending December 28. Goalkeeper Stuart Dobson was named the MISL Goalkeeper of the Week and defender Pat Morris was awarded as the Defensive Player of the Week for their play in the club’s back-to-back contests this weekend.

Dobson receives the award after a stellar performance in Cleveland on December 27, in which he earned his first victory of the season. The native of Beverley, England virtually shut down the Force offense, turning away 13 of the 15 total shots he faced and blanking Cleveland’s scorers in the first and third quarters.

The University of Portland graduate began his professional indoor career with Chicago in 1995, but has also seen action with Tampa Bay, Montreal, Harrisburg and Buffalo before joining the KiXX for the 2001-02 campaign. This is the first League honor for the eight-year veteran.

Philadelphia native Pat Morris led the KiXX backline with seven blocks in the team’s two contests this weekend, including a game-high five rejections versus the Force on Saturday night. The 26-year old defender also stepped in goal for Philadelphia after Dobson was sent to the penalty box for a five-minute misconduct penalty; he denied the Force on the only shot he faced in relief of Dobson. Led by Morris, the Philadelphia defense blocked a season-high 24 of Cleveland’s 40 total shots.

Morris kicked-off with the weekend’s back-to-back road contests with a goal and a pair of blocked shots in the club’s 8-4 loss to the Baltimore Blast on Friday, December 26. Morris now ranks fourth in the MISL with 27 blocks this season and sixth on the team’s scoring list with 11 points on nine goals and a pair of assists. The two-time all-star was named to the All-Rookie team in 1999-00 and an All-League team twice, 2001-02, 2002-03. The Philadelphia University graduate finished his collegiate career fourth all-time in school history with 49 goals and 120 points. This is the first MISL weekly nomination for the Northeast Catholic High School graduate, where he was an All-State selection and two-time All-Catholic League honoree.

Dobson, Morris and the rest of the KiXX return home to bring in the New Year by welcoming the St. Louis Steamers to the Wachovia Spectrum for the first time in franchise history on Saturday, January 3. The night, dubbed “Scout Night,” offers special discounts and promotions to all area scouts in attendance. The contest is slated to kick-off at 7:05 pm ET. For more information or to purchase tickets for any remaining KiXX home contest, contact the club’s Executive Office at 1-888-888-KiXX (5499) or log onto the team’s official website, www.kixxonline.com.