December 4, 2022 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Baltimore Blast News Release
Baltimore Blast battle Utica City
(Baltimore Blast, Credit: Sabina Moran)
Baltimore, MD
– The Baltimore Blast returned to Towson
University SECU Arena for their home opener of the 2022-23 season, against familiar
rivals, Utica City. The last time these two teams met back in March, the Blast defeated
Utica, 6-3. Both teams fought down to the last second, but ultimately the Blast recorded
their first win. All eyes were on
Baltimore’s new rookie #99 Josh Diaz, as he kicked off
the game with an amazing goal against Andrew Coughlin.
Utica jumped off to an early lead when Ronaldinho Diniz found the back of the net with
an assist from Andrew Coughlin. The City would return seconds later with Logan
Roberts marking his first goal of the night. Gordy Gurson would take advantage of a
rebound off post and score on William Vanzela. Tony Donatelli would successfully score
on powerplay shootout, cutting Utica’s lead by one. Joey Tavernese would extend the
City lead by one with a cross goal pass from Gordy Gurson. Jonatas Melo would
answer for the Blast with an assist from Tony Donatelli, 2-4. With less than one minute
remaining, Lucas Roque would find the back of the goal off a sharp pass from Jamie
Thomas. The Blast would trail by one heading into the second quarter, 3-4.
Early into second quarter, Lucas Roque would find his second goal of the night from
Moises Gonzalez, evening the score to 4-4. Bo Jelovac would record his first of the
night, giving Utica a one goal lead. With 2 minutes remaining in the second quarter,
Tony Donatelli would take advantage of a powerplay
cutting Utica’s lead. Baltimore and
Utica would go into the second half tied at 5-5.
Baltimore would take the lead for the first time of the night when Tony Donatelli
recorded his third goal of the night, 6-5. This would be the only goal of the 3rd quarter as
both teams were evenly matched.
The Blast would maintain their lead into the fourth quarter when Lucas Roque also
recorded a hat trick, extending the Blast lead 7-5. On a penalty kick, Gordy Gurson
would find the back of the net cutting the Blast lead by one. Jonatas Melo would answer
for the Blast by letting one slip past Andrew Coughlin, extending
Baltimore’s lead to 8-6.
Gordy Gurson would return with his third goal of the night, with an assist from Issak
Somow. Ultimately, Baltimore would secure their first win of the 2022-23 season with a
8-7 result against…