With target forward Hewerton out due to an ailing back, second forward Ryan Mack suggested to teammate Troy Dusosky that shifting to target might help him get untracked. Mack had generated a team-best 19 shots through three games, but just one goal. Dusosky took the idea to Coach Keith Tozer, who made the move. In addition to allowing Tozer to field the most experienced lineup possible, the change also resulted in Wiesner sliding from midfield up to second forward.

"I still have defensive responsibilities, but this just gives me more freedom when the ball goes into the other team's defensive end to use my speed a little more, nick some balls and create havoc," Wiesner said.

Though Mack didn't score any points in Saturday's 27-6 rout, he was able to hold the ball as a target and generate opportunities. Plus, his experience was valuable in knowing when and how to join in that defensive pressure and give the KiXX fits trying to move the ball from their own end.

Wiesner, a Brookfield native, is fourth in the Major Indoor Soccer League with 12 points. He netted two goals in the opener at Monterrey to go with Saturday's hat trick.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:  Saturday's 27-6 victory represented the seventh-largest victory margin in the Wave's 26-year history. The biggest wins:

Dec. 6, 1998 - Wave 37, Cleveland Crunch 5

Jan. 14, 1995 - Wave 35, Chicago Power 5

March 25, 1995 - Wave 29, Canton Invaders 4

Nov. 18, 1995 - Wave 30, Canton Invaders 7

Dec. 31, 1999 - Wave 32, St. Louis Ambush 10

March 5, 2000 - Wave 29, Detroit Rockers 7

RODRIGUES WON'T MISS: Defender JP Rodrigues suffered a scare Sunday morning following the Philadelphia victory. He went to blow his nose, and instead his right cheek puffed out dramatically.

Doctors told him he suffered a small fracture in the orbital bone beneath his eye, the result of an elbow by Philadelphia's Anthony Maher the night before. The air from that sneeze instead exited through the crack in the bone, causing the temporary puffy cheek.

After a CAT scan, doctors determined that Rodrigues could continue to play with a specially fitted facemask. He'll be wearing it Dec. 27 when the Wave visit Monterrey for their third matchup with LaRaza.

TERMINESI WINS LEAGUE HONOR: Second forward Marco Terminesi captured MISL Player of the Week honors after his career-high nine-point effort against Philadelphia. Terminesi, a second-year pro from Woodbridge, Ontario, is tied for second in the league with 13 points.

SCHOOL'S OUT: The Wave play their first School Day Game exhibition on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. More than 2,000 students are expected to attend the intrasquad scrimmage that is part of the team's Making Waves program. Two other games are March 3 and 17.

Following the game, players have five days off for the holiday. They return to training Tuesday and practice through Friday, before departing Saturday for Monterrey.

KEEPING THINGS WARM: The Wave's first Hat and Mitten Toss for the Salvation Army generated more than 300 items, which were tossed on the field following the Wave's first goal. The toss was part of the Wave's partnership with the FOX 6 Season of Giving promotion.