Tozer could secure his 700th career coaching victory Sunday

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Wave will look to give head coach Keith Tozer his 700th career coaching victory Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Arena as the Wave play host to Syracuse for the first time in franchise history.

In the only previous meeting between the two clubs on Jan. 13 in upstate New York, Milwaukee shook off a slow start that saw them trailing 8-7 at the half to take down the Silver Knights 15-12. Marco Terminesi notched six points with one 3-points goal, one 2-point goal and an assist while captain Greg Howes slotted home the game-winner in the third minute of the final quarter.

Syracuse will make its maiden voyage into Milwaukee on Sunday in hopes of busting out of a five game slump. The Silver Knights suffered a franchise worst 21 point loss at the hands of Missouri, giving up a league high 33 points in the contest, the most points allowed in the MISL since Rockford put 34 in against Philadelphia on Mar. 14, 2010.

The Silver Knights have had no problems scoring this season, averaging 13.24 points per game and scoring double-digit points in 15 of 17 games. They are led offensively by Jeffrey Hughes, a defender who likes to get up and attack and has notched 47 points this season, placing him fourth on the MISL leader board. Joining him in the attack will be the league’s eighth most potent scorer, Slavisa Ubiparapovic. The forward has notched 42 points on the campaign, although he has been in a rut as of late, scoring only once in the Silver Knight’s last five games.

As good as their offense has been, their defense has left much to be desired. Syracuse has given up 15 points or more in 10 games this season, going 1-9 in those contests. It has the league’s second most porous defense, giving up an average of 16.17 points per game.