Laredo Heat: Headed to New Orleans, Playoff Berth In Sight, Final Master Roster Set
Wednesday, July 5, 2006 (Laredo, TX):
The Laredo Heat Soccer Club (10 - 1 - 0 / 30 points) is headed to Louisiana this coming weekend for back to back games versus the New Orleans Shell Shockers (3 - 8 - 0 / 9 points). The games are scheduled for a 7:30 PM kickoff on Friday, July 7th and Saturday, July 8th and will be played at Muss Bertolino Stadium.
Muss Bertolino Stadium is a new venue for the Shell Shockers since their old home field, Pan American Stadium, was flooded and lost last summer in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
For the Heat, this out of town trip not only represents two away games on their league schedule but an opportunity to clinch the Mid-South Division title with two wins over the Shell Shockers.
With five games remaining on their division schedule, the Heat, with 30 points, can clinch the outright Mid-South Division title and a playoff berth with two victories over those five games due to the DFW Tornados, currently in second place with 22 points and only four games remaining, including one visit to Laredo on Saturday, July 15th, only being able to accumulate 34 points if they win their remaining four games.
The Premier Development League (PDL) follows the international scoring system of giving three points for a win and one point for a tie.
Regardless of what is at store for the club in New Orleans, Heat Head Coach, Israel Collazo, mentioned, "I have told the players that their destiny is in their hands and that they need to handle the task at hand and not worry about outside factors coming into play." Collazo concluded, "The players have worked very hard all season to give themselves the opportunities that are present. They know what they need to do."
In other team news, today is the day designated by the PDL as the day that final master rosters must be turned in to finish out the PDL regular season and post season. For the Heat, one player that was designated as a 23 and Over Player had to be cut from the master roster since only eight (8) players in this age category are allowed to be placed on the final master roster.
For the Heat coaching staff and administration, the decision of who to cut was not easy since all nine players have made significant contributions to the success the club all season long; however, a decision had to be made. At the end, forward Ernesto Contreras was the player that was left off the final list.
Lastly, the Laredo Heat Soccer Club would like to announce the "Meet the Heat" night at United Day School for this season. The "Meet the Heat" night will take place on Monday, July 10th and will begin with registration at 6:30 PM at the United Day School Soccer Field with a program of soccer activities for kids between the ages of 5 and 12 following the registration from 7:00 PM until 8:15 PM. The activities for the kids will include demonstration and participation drills in footwork, goalkeeping, corner kicks, free kicks and dribbling skills. Both the Heat coaching staff and players will participate in this event. An autograph session from 8:15 PM to 8:30 PM will conclude the session. The "Meet the Heat" night will be a free event and all parents are encouraged to bring their young ones out for a fun evening of soccer.
For additional information on the Laredo Heat Soccer Club, the "Meet the Heat" Night and future game updates, please visit their web site at www.laredoheatsc.com .
