Comets Beat Heat 8-4 – OurSports Central

January 6, 2024 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Kansas City Comets News Release

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – The Kansas City Comets (7-1-0) displayed a strong team effort as they defeated the Harrisburg Heat (0-7-0) 8-4 on Saturday evening at Cable Dahmer Arena.

Leo Gibson scored his first two goals of the season in the first half as he led the Comets to an important Eastern Conference victory. Lucas Sousa’s brace was also imperative as he returned to the scoresheet for the first time since December 9.

For the first time in since December 17, the Comets opened the scoring. Gibson scored the opener to make it 1-0 before Sousa scored just 14 seconds later to make it 2-0 Comets.

Harrisburg answered with a goal from Joey Tavernese. Zach Reget restored the Comets’ two-goal advantage before the opening frame’s conclusion.

Gibson’s second of the night came 3:46 into the second quarter, later followed with a wallascora assist to Mikey Lenis for the rookie’s fourth goal of the season to put the hosts up 5-1. After a successful challenge, Dominic Francis brought Harrisburg within three after he converted a penalty kick shortly before halftime.

The Comets kept up the pressure in the second half as Nacho Flores assisted Sousa to make it 6-2. Just 20 seconds later, John Sosa executed a glorious chip to make it 7-2. Francis scored his second of the night with a rocket off the post from a restart.

The scoring was not over. Harrisburg inserted their sixth attacker early in the fourth quarter, but they were unable to crack the Comets defense before Zach Reget scored his second of the night. Francis completed his hat trick with a direct shot off a restart in the final moments as the Comets won 8-4.

Nicolau Neto remained perfect on the season as he picked up his seventh consecutive win as he played the first half and Phillip Ejimadu closed out the game in the second half. The goalkeeper pairing made a total of 11 saves in Saturday’s win.

Harrisburg’s Francis was a standout performer for the visitors. His hat trick was not enough to overcome a heavy deficit. Heat goalkeeper Grant Glorioso made 19 saves but picked up the loss as they head to Milwaukee for a Sunday afternoon clash with the Wave.

Saturday’s win keeps the Comets in the battle at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. They now head into a tough stretch of four games within a seven-day span.

The Comets will now turn their attention to a critical top-of-the-table matchup against Utica City FC. The Eastern…