The Savannah Rug Ratz were an

indoor soccer Indoor soccer or arena soccer is a form of five-a-side football, five-a-side or six-a-side version of minifootball. It is derived from association football and adapted to be played in walled hardcourt indoor arenas. It differs from the FIFA, FIFA ...

team based in

Savannah A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) biome and ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach th ...

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

that played in the EISL during both of the leagues seasons from 1997–1998. They played their home games in the

Savannah Civic Center The Savannah Civic Center is a multi-purpose facility located in Savannah, Georgia, in Savannah Historic District. Built in 1974, the facility consists of an arena, theater, ballroom, and exhibit halls. Throughout the years, the center has hos ...

. During their existence, the Rug Ratz played a total of 52 games under

head coach A head coach, senior coach, or manager is a professional responsible for training and developing athletes within a sports team. This role often has a higher public profile and salary than other coaching positions. In some sports, such as associat ...

Ian MacDonald, winning 13, one via shootout, and losing 39, two via shootout. They scored a total of 564 goals and allowed a total of 832 goals and notched 40 total points in standings out of a possible 156 points. (The EISL awarded 3 points for a win, 2 for a shootout win, 1 for a shootout loss, and 0 for a loss in regulation.) The team had planned to return for 1999 before the league folded in December 1998.

History

1997 season

The Greater Savannah Sports Council worked with the Alaska-based ownership group to bring the Rug Ratz to Savannah. The Rug Ratz finished 6th overall in the seven-team league. They finished the season with a record of 7 wins and 17 losses, including 1 shootout win and 2 shootout losses, for a total of 22 points. The team's average attendance ranked sixth in the seven-team league.

1998 season

The Rug Ratz began the 1998 season with new owners and a new logo.

Savannah Sand Gnats The Savannah Sand Gnats were a minor league baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia. They were a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. The Sand Gnats were an affiliate of the New York Mets in their final nine seasons. The team relocated t ...

principal owner Ken Silver and local investors (as "Low Country Pro Indoor Soccer Club Inc.") purchased the team in February 1998, pledging higher budgets and better community outreach. The team's first home game was postponed after a late cleaning of the turf left it too wet for safe play at game time. The Rug Ratz finished 7th overall in the seven-team league. They finished the season with a record of 6 wins and 22 losses for a total of 18 points. The Rug Ratz averaged 1,747 fans per game, worst in the EISL where the average league game saw 2,733 fans in attendance. Head coach Ian MacDonald left the team after the season. Savannah Rug Ratz forward Shawn Beyer was named to the 1998 EISL All-League Second Team. Players receiving All-League Honorable Mentions included defenders Dan McManemy and Sean Scott plus midfielder Colin Buck.

References

External links

Savannah Rug Ratz
at ''Soccer Times'' {{Eastern Indoor Soccer League teams Eastern Indoor Soccer League teams Association football clubs established in 1997 Association football clubs disestablished in 1998 Defunct indoor soccer clubs in the United States Soccer clubs in Georgia (U.S. state) Sports in Savannah, Georgia 1997 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state) 1998 disestablishments in Georgia (U.S. state)