Philadelphia's Peter Pappas Named MISL Goalkeeper of the Year

Wednesday, May 5, 2004

By David Deal
Philadelphia KiXX Director of Communitions

The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced today that Philadelphia KiXX goalkeeper Peter Pappas has been voted the MISL Goalkeeper of the Year for his play during the 2003-04 season. The Toronto, Ontario native will receive the award from the MISL on NBC10’s morning show, 10!, on Thursday, May 13. The selection is the second of his professional indoor career after sharing the distinction with then Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper Victor Nogueira for the 2000-01 campaign.

“On behalf of the entire Philadelphia KiXX organization, I congratulate Peter on his outstanding season and recent honor,” Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Bibb stated. Peter has consistently been one of the top goalkeepers in our sport. It is very gratifying to see him recognized for his play as he continues to etch his name in the KiXX, MISL and indoor soccer record books.”

Pappas posted another career season en route to earning his first All-MISL First Team selection and the sixth overall All-League squad appearance of his eight-year career. He was voted on the All-MISL Second Team for his play during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 campaigns and the All-League Third Team after the 1997-98 and 1999-00 seasons. The Philadelphia University graduate finished the 2003-04 regular season ranked first among MISL netminders in save percentage (.765) and saves (430) and third in wins (17), minutes (1748), and goals against average (4.53). While his goals against average was third in the League, Pappas faced nearly 200 more shots than his counterparts ranked higher in the standings.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper posted a perfect (16 saves on 16 shots faced) performance versus San Diego on January 17 to earn a 5-0 shutout victory, the third of his career and the first shutout in the modern-day MISL. Pappas received a team-high seven League accolades for his play throughout various points this season, including a MISL-high five Goalkeeper of the Week honors (seven-day periods ending October 5, October 12, January 18, February 1, and February 8) to match a pair of monthly awards for his performance throughout October and January. Pappas was selected to represent the League’s International Unit in the 2004 MISL All-Star Game, the seventh such selection of his career, but did not participate because of injury.

Since the conclusion of the 2003-04 campaign, the MISL has announced that Philadelphia KiXX defender Pat Morris and Pappas were voted to the All-MISL First Team, while player/coach Don D’Ambra was selected to the League’s Second Team. Shortly thereafter, rookie defender Jeremy Aldrich was named to the MISL All-Rookie Team.