MASL TEAM OF THE WEEK – WEEK THREE

KANSAS CITY (Nov 15, 2016) – The third week of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) featured ten games and some exciting action. This weekend’s slate of games saw plenty of scoring (including one by a goalkeeper), overtime suspense, upset victories and the first win for the league’s newest franchise, the Florida Tropics. In a weekend packed with thrilling accomplishments, these players rose to the top.

The MASL Team of the Week is selected using the Stars awarded at each game and by soliciting nominations from each team. Players nominated by teams were each awarded three points and stars were awarded 3 points (1st Star), 2 points (2nd star) and 1 Point (3rd star) respectively.

Goalkeeper:                                                             
Stephen Paterson (Kansas City Comets) – Paterson only allowed three goals on the night and also scored the first goal of the game with a shot from just past the yellow line.

Defender: 
Victor Rojas (Florida Tropics) – In Florida’s inaugural game, Rojas helped the team to immediate success. From his defensive position, he scored two goals on the night, including the score that tied the game at 5-5 towards the end of the game.

Midfielders:
Max Ferdinand (Milwaukee Wave) – After missing the Wave’s season opener last week, Ferdinand played in both games this weekend for Milwaukee. He contributed a goal and three assists in the team’s win against the Blast then added another assist the next day against the Heat.
Brandon Escoto (San Diego Sockers)  - Escoto scored two goals against Dallas on Saturday, including the score that tied the game in the final minutes of regulation. He then sealed the win by burying his attempt in the shootout.

Forwards:
Efrain ‘Wilo’ Martinez (Chicago Mustangs) – Martinez totaled five goals, over the weekend in two wins. In the home opener, he had a hat trick and the game-winning goal in OT.
Fernando Gatica (Harrisburg Heat) – The definition of clutch, Gatica tied the game for the Heat in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Wave. After that he followed up with the game-winning goal in overtime to give his team their first win of the young season.

Honorable Mention:
Josh Lemos (Milwaukee Wave), Boris Pardo (San Diego Sockers), Jesus Flores (Chicago Mustangs), Mauricio Salles (Ontario Fury), Cristian Gutierrez (Baja Atletico), Michael Ramos (Tacoma Stars), Sean Totsch (Milwaukee Wave), Derek Johnson (Tacoma Stars), Anibal Echeverria (Turlock Express), Taylor Bond (Chicago Mustangs), Ricardo De Queiroz Diegues (Florida Tropics), Hiram Ruiz (Soles de Sonora), Leo Gibson (Kansas City Comets)