Knights Bounce Back, Defeat Comets 13-7
November 30, 2012 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
The Syracuse Silver Knights earned their second victory of the season tonight as they beat one of the MISL's top teams, the Missouri Comets, in convincing fashion. Missouri (4-2) has now suffered two consecutive defeats after beginning the year with an undefeated record of 4-0.The Silver Knights took the field tonight without forwards Andre Berenzon and Matt Clare for the first time after the two were dealt to Wichita in a trade that saw Bryan Perez and Jamar Beasley sent to Syracuse.
Syracuse took the field tonight in front of 2,869 lively fans with a counter-attacking philosophy aimed towards stopping the league's number three scorer in Missouri's Byron Alvarez. Tommy Tanner's game-plan came to fruition as Bryan O'Quinn and the Silver Knights' defense were able to turn aside multiple Comet scoring chances before Slavisa Ubiparapovic was able to break open the scoring in the first quarter on the counter from a pin-point pass from Bozidar Jelovac.
Despite being held in check for most of the first quarter, Missouri's leading scorer, Byron Alvarez, was able to bring his side even with a goal with just twenty seconds left in the opening frame.
After the two sides exchanged tallies early in the second quarter, Syracuse's newest prolific goal scorer, Neto, put the home side in front with three minutes left in the first half from a long-distance bomb that traveled between the defenders' legs and into the back of the net for three points. Slavisa Ubiparapivic added to the momentum just thirty seconds later when defensive midfielder, Darren Toby, laid off a rolling ball for the second year forward to blast between the goalkeeper's legs from an extreme angle.
Trailing 9-4 at halftime, the second-place Missouri Comets stormed into the second half controlling possession and quickly cut the Syracuse lead to 9-7 less than a minute into the second half. Syracuse continued to comfortably defend and counter the Missouri onslaught and Bozidar Jelovac and Ubiparapovic connected for the second time in the game on a Syracuse rush with Jelovac finishing off a nifty set-up from last year's Rookie of the Year.
Taking a slim four-point advantage into the final quarter, the Silver Knights continued to stand up against a high-powered Missouri offense with defender and player-coach Ryan Hall commanding the Syracuse box, blocking 6 shots, and completely shutting down Missouri's top offensive weapons. Goalkeeper Bryan O'Quinn continued to dazzle in net while stopping all nine Missouri fourth quarter shots and bringing his game total to a whopping 27 saves with just three goals against.
New signing Bryan Perez sealed the victory in his first game as a Silver Knight with five minutes left in the fourth quarter from a cross-goal feed from striker Andriy Budnyy, bringing the home-side lead to 13-7 and earning Syracuse their first win since opening weekend against the Rochester Lancers.
Syracuse takes the Oncenter War Memorial Arena field again on Sunday, December 2, against cross-state rivals Rochester at 4 p.m. in the teams' first ever "orange and blue" game. Syracuse will wear special orange and blue jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately after the game with all proceeds being donated to the Crouse Health Foundation.
For ticket and other Silver Knight information call 315-303-7261 or visit SyracuseSilverKnights.com.
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Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from November 30, 2012
- Comets Taken Down by Knights - Kansas City Comets
- Knights Bounce Back, Defeat Comets 13-7 - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Lancers & Dick Ide Launch Creative Charity Campaign - Rochester Lancers
- Chicago Soul vs. Milwaukee Wave Preview - Chicago Soul FC
- Lancers to Play Two over Weekend - Rochester Lancers
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