Vortex Prepare for Road Trip to Cincinnati

CANTON, OH - November 26, 2010 - The Ohio Vortex (1-1) prepare for their first road trip of the young PASL-Pro season as they face the Cincinnati Kings, currently first in the Eastern Division with a 3-0 record. 

The Vortex continue to grapple with the injury bug, forcing several key players out of the lineup.  Goalkeeper Sasha Djuric will be given a rest this weekend as newcomer Eric Sebor will be between the pipes for Ohio. 

Sebor, a four-year letterwinner at Mount Union College (OAC), was recently signed by the Vortex to serve as a backup to Djuric, who started the first two games in goal. 

Also new to the Vortex is forward Tyler Johnston, who replaces Adam Campellone.  The midfielder continues to struggle with nagging injuries, but is a returning starter from last season’s 8-8 squad.  Johnston also played in the OAC, but spent his time with Ohio Northern University.  The 22-year-old striker is expected to see his first professional action against the Kings this weekend.

Defender Michael Pertz returns to action after suffering a back injury in training.  He is expected to anchor the backline with Marshall University graduate Jared Dombrowski and Scottish international Ross Cochran. 

The Ohio attack is in the capable hands of forward Allen Eller, who has already accumulated eight goals in just two games.  Eller is perhaps the only player that can match the scoring of Cincinnati’s Jeff Hughes, who is another league MVP candidate.  Midfielders Steve Gillespie, Milko Cecez, and John Ball all should provide excellent service to Eller, who finished the 2009-2010 season with 34 goals and 19 assists. 

This is a challenging match for many reasons.  First and foremost, the Kings have home field advantage, hoping for another large crowd at the Cincinnati Gardens.  Cincinnati broke their attendance record last week with 1,310 in attendance. 

Second, the offensive weaponry for the Kings is almost as impressive as their stingy defense.  Reigning league MVP Jeff Hughes leads the attack with help from fellow striker Matt Breines and Sam Fiore.  Kwame Sarkodie, George Davis, Shawn Rockey, and Drew Ducker are as formidable a midfield as you will see in the entire league. 

Jeff Henderson and Kenneth Bertz anchor the defense for the Kings along with goalkeeper Craig Salvati, who may very well be the best keeper in all of the PASL.  The University of Maryland alum kept the Vortex attack at bay in a 9-4 victory at the Canton Civic Center on November 19th.    

The Vortex will then head home for a December 4th rematch with the Kings.  Ohio will finish up the four-game series when they return to the Gardens on January 29th.