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The California Cougars announce contract agreements with McNeley, Santana and Tovar
Thursday Sep 27, 2007
Stockton, CA -- Sept. 27, 2007 -- The California Cougars, of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), announced Thursday that the team has agreed to contract terms with Defenders Evan McNeley, Nelson Santana and Forward Enrique Tovar for the upcoming 2007-2008 season. Per team policy, terms of the deals will not be released.
The 24 year-old McNeley enters his second season in the MISL with the Cougars. In his rookie season, McNeley scored six points and tallied nine blocks in 18 games played. He recorded a career high four blocks against the Detroit Ignition, on March 24, 2007, in an 18-12 Cougars home win.
“Evan is a young player with a great attitude and tons of potential,” said Lilavois. “He played well all season, especially in the final few games for us last year. He is another player who stayed in the area over the summer to work in our soccer camps and play for the Pumas. We are looking for his steady improvement; he can be a great defender in our league in the near future.”
McNeley attended Oregon State University.
Santana is also in his second year in the league and with the Cougars. The 28 year-old Santana scored 22 points in 24 games for California in the 2006-2007 season. Santana’s aggressive style of play put him in the Cougars starting lineup on five different occasions. Santana scored eight straight points over a four game stretch last season. The scoring streak started on January 1 against the Milwaukee Wave and ended with a four point performance on February 17 against the Philadelphia Kixx.
“Santana improved with every game he played last season,” said Lilavois. “Nelson has great ball handling skills, and has great two-way soccer skills. We are excited to have him rejoin us this upcoming season. Nelson is a very feisty player; his aggressive play helps to excite his teammates.”
Santana played for the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001.
Twenty-eight year old Enrique Tovar enters his third season with the Cougars. He led the Cougars in the 2006-2007 season with 63 points on 26 total goals. His 63 points were the 10th highest total in the MISL. Tovar also finished the season with 10 assists and eight blocks. Tovar recorded a three-point goal, a two-point goal and an assist against the Detroit Ignition on February 3, 2007, all totaling six points for the night. His three-point goal was launched from the Cougars side of the halfway line. His highest point total in a game last season was eight against the Chicago Storm on March 1, 2007. Tovar scored four goals on that night in Stockton; it was his only hat-trick of the season.
“Enrique finished last season strong and that confidence carried over to the summer where he was a standout for our USA Futsal Team,” said Lilavois. “He possesses great foot skills and we are looking for him to be a consistent scorer and set up man up top for us.”
Tovar played for the California Gold in 2003.
The Cougars have kicked-off of the 2007-2008 season with training camp beginning on Monday, September 24, 2007. The practices take place at the Stockton Arena and run throughout the opening week of the season. The culminating event is the Stars of Mexico friendly on Saturday, September 29, 2007.
The Cougars host Mexican soccer legends Luis “El Matador” Hernandez, Missael Espinoza and Marco Antonio “Chima” Ruiz in a rematch of sorts from last February. On February 10, 2007 the Cougars hosted the “Stars of Mexico” in what turned out to be the most successful soccer event in the history of the Stockton Arena. More than 8,000 fans came out to watch their futbol heroes play in their own backyard. The Cougars won the match 20 – 18. The night also marked the end of Lilavois’ playing career.
Saturday’s exhibition begins at 7:15, all media members are invited to attend. Please contact Greg Young for proper media credentials.
About the California Cougars:
The California Cougars are a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). The MISL is a single-entity organization that features a coast to coast presence across North America including soccer talent representing players from 31 different countries. The Cougars made their competitive debut in November of 2005, after being announced on February 28, 2004. The team makes its home at the state-of-the-art Stockton Arena, in Stockton, California. The Stockton Arena opened in December 2005, and is an integral part of the cities developing waterfront district. For additional information please contact Greg Young, Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting, by phone: 209-373-1559, or by email: gyoung@californiacougars.net. You can also visit the Cougars’ official website at http://www.californiacougars.net.
About The MISL:
The Major Indoor Soccer League is a single-entity organization with a coast-to-coast presence comprised of seven teams located across the United States, and features the finest indoor soccer players representing 31 countries around the world. In February of 2004, the League announced an expansion team in Stockton, CA, that began play in 2005-06 as the California Cougars. In May of 2004, the League announced plans for an expansion team in Newark, NJ, that will begin play in 2007-08. On Sunday, April 30, 2006, the MISL announced that MISL Orlando had been approved to begin competition for the 2007-08 season. The 2007 MISL Championship Series concluded live on Versus and before a sell out crowd at Compuware Arena in Detroit on Saturday, April 21, 2007, with the Philadelphia Kixx winning their second MISL Championship Series, beating the Detroit Ignition 13-8 in the final. For more information on the MISL, visit the League’s official website www.MISL.net.
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