December 3, 2022 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Utica City FC News Release
Baltimore, MD – Utica City FC opened their 2022-23 season with a seven goal performance against the Baltimore Blast. Utica City jumped out to a roaring start, but a back-and-forth affair resulted in an 8-7 win for Baltimore. UCFC is just 8 days away from their home opener on December 11th against the Harrisburg Heat. Tickets are available at uticacityfc.com/tickets.
The game began in emphatic fashion, with Utica City tallying three quick goals to open the first quarter. Ronaldinho Diniz sprinted the length of the field and buried a goal off of his right foot with 9:27 left in the quarter. Not even a minute later, Logan Roberts quickly tallied another after a deflection off of Christian Segura. Gordy Gurson netted his first in blue and white with a gorgeous overhead kick to make it 3-0. After Baltimore’s Tony Donatelli got on the board just a minute later, Joey Tavernese responded to regain UCFC’s three goal lead. Baltimore found goals from Jonatas Melo and Lucas Roque before the quarter came to an end, and Utica City led 4-3 at the first break.
Roque would score again to start the second. Bo Jelovac’s driving pressure found a rebound in front and the back of the net at 10:29 of the period to make it a 5-4 game. Baltimore’s Tony Donatelli evened things up before the half came to a close.
The back half of the contest saw the Blast take control of the lead for the first time in the game with goals coming from Donatelli and Roque, widening the margin to two in favor of the Baltimore. UCFC nearly completed the comeback as Gurson scored on a penalty kick, but Melo notched a goal halfway through the fourth quarter to give the Blast a two-goal lead. Gurson’s third goal of the game was not enough to bring UCFC to level, falling just short by a final of 8-7.
Utica City returns to the MVHS Practice Field for the week. They’ll play a back-to-back next weekend. UCFC opens their home campaign on Sunday, December 11th at 3 PM against Harrisburg. Tickets are available at uticacityfc.com/tickets.
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