KANSAS CITY (Dec 20, 2016) – Week eight of the Major Arena Soccer League was a holiday feast of scoring as the 16 teams to play this week recorded 24 goals per game, the second highest average this season. Tensions were high as nearly every game remained close deep into the match. These players helped to put their teams over 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:

Brett Petricek (Cedar Rapids Rampage) – In a weekend filled with offense, Petricek brought defense into the spotlight. He had a .850 save percentage and only allowed 3 goals on the way to his league-leading 7th win on the season.

Defenders:

Richard Schmermund (St. Louis Ambush) – From the back line, Schmermund helped to keep Cedar Rapids forward Gordy Gurson without a goal for only the second time this season. He also added a goal and an assist to his team’s efforts.

Edwin Rojas (Chicago Mustangs) – Rojas had two blocks against the Syracuse Silver Knights on Saturday and helped to complete the comeback. With his team down 5-0 in the second quarter, he had the assist on the team’s first score of the night, then scored the equalizer in the 4th quarter. Along with another assist, he finished the night with 3 points.

Midfielder:

Christian Gutierrez (Atletico Baja) – Gutierrez had 12 points in two games over the weekend. He scored a hat trick in Sonora on Saturday night, then tallied 7 goals and 2 assists against El Paso at home on Sunday night. With his weekend efforts Gutierrez now leads the MASL in points (34), goals (27) and game-winning goals (4).

Forwards:

Tony Donatelli (Baltimore Blast) – When the Blast found themselves behind 3-2 late in the second quarter against Dallas, Donatelli found Andrew Hoxie for two quick scores and helped Baltimore take the lead. In the second half he scored three of the final four goals and put the game away.

Alex Megson (Tacoma Stars) – Alex Megson has enjoyed a hot streak lately and continued the trend on Sunday. With first place in the Pacific Division on the line, Megson had two goals and two assists, including the game winner in the final minutes of the match.

Honorable Mention:

Andrew Coughlin (Syracuse Silver Knights), Damian Garcia (Soles de Sonora), Ernesto Luna (Atletico Baja), Kenardo Forbes (Syracuse Silver Knights), Bryan Perez (Kansas City Comets), Antonio Manfut (Syracuse Silver Knights), Gustavo Rosales (Soles de Sonora), Daniel Villela (Atletico Baja), Hewerton (Cedar Rapids Rampage), Taylor Bond (Chicago Mustangs), Leonardo De Oliveira (Ontario Fury), Franck Tayou (Soles de Sonora), Max Touloute (San Diego Sockers), Slavisa Ubiparapovic (Syracuse Silver Knights)