Andrew Coughlin's Career Day Leads Syracuse to Victory over St. Louis
January 22, 2018 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
Andrew Coughlin's Career Day Leads Syracuse to Victory over St. Louis
(Syracuse Silver Knights)
ST. CHARLES, MO - Andrew Coughlin set a new career high in saves with 26 to lead the Syracuse Silver Knights (7-6) to a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Ambush. Coughlin recorded 13 saves in the fourth quarter to secure the Syracuse victory.
"Andrew has been a keystone to everything in the back," said Silver Knights head coach Ryan Hall. "The game starts with the keeper. Andrew making the saves that he was gives everyone confidence similar to a clutch goal or a shot saving block."
The match started quickly with two goals in under two-and-a-half minutes. Hewerton Moreira scored first for the Ambush, but Darren Toby responded with a goal just over a minute later. Both defenses would prevail for the rest of the quarter until Richard Schmermund scored for St. Louis. The home team took a 2-1 lead into the second quarter.
The Ambush started the second quarter strong with a goal from Stefan St. Louis to take a 3-1 lead over the Silver Knights. Later in the quarter, bad fortune would strike Syracuse, as Kenardo Forbes was shown a straight red card after a foul by Raphael Nascimento. Despite the loss of the team's second leading goal scorer for the rest of the game, the Syracuse defense continued to hold, led by Coughlin. The Silver Knights would get the final goal of the half from Joey Tavernese scored on a power play. Syracuse entered the locker room down 3-2.
"This was a defining moment for us," said Hall. "With everything going on this weekend - the travel, the loss [to Milwaukee] yesterday, and losing Kenardo - we had nothing to lose. We were going to go out in the third and leave nothing on the field. Hats off to the boys for doing just that."
Syracuse came out of the gates firing in the third quarter. Nate Bourdeau equalized for Syracuse just under five minutes into the frame with a firecracker of a shot into the top left corner. Only 17 seconds later, Bo Jelovac fired a shot into the roof of the Ambush net that the Silver Knights their first lead of the match. Toby and Ubiparipovic would tack on two more goals deeper into the quarter to give Syracuse a 6-3 advantage heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
The Ambush pressed hard for goals in the fourth quarter, but Coughlin and the Syracuse defense locked down the net. Despite Hewerton finding his second goal of the game, the Silver Knights survived the St. Louis barrage to hold on to a 6-4 win. The Ambush peppered the Syracuse goal with 16 shots in the 4th quarter.
Coughlin's 26 saves exceed his previous career high by two saves. He now has two games in his career with over 20 saves. Both game have come in this season. Coughlin's save percentage of 86.7% is his highest this season. This marks his sixth career game with a save percentage of over 80%. Coughlin also only allowed 4 goals, which is tied for his lowest total this season.
Tavernese lead the Syracuse offense with a goal and two assists. Toby led Syracuse scores with two goals on the day. This marks the first multi-goal game for Toby since December 13th, 2014, when he scored two goals against Harrisburg. Ubiparipovic also recorded a goal and an assist on the day. He now moves into a tie with Forbes for second place on the team in points with 22 each.
The next match for Syracuse is back home at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena as the Florida Tropics take on the Silver Knights on January 28th. Kickoff is set for 4:05 pm.
Images from this story
 Andrew Coughlin's Career Day Leads Syracuse to Victory over St. Louis |
• Discuss this story on the Major Arena Soccer League message board...
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from January 22, 2018
- San Diego Sockers Match Report - Sockers End Losing Streak with 8-6 - San Diego Sockers
- BARRACUDAS MUNCH ON EXPRESS - Brownsville Barracudas
- Andrew Coughlin's Career Day Leads Syracuse to Victory over St. Louis - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Ambush Lose Second of the Weekend to Syracuse - St. Louis Ambush
- Mke Wave Tank Syracuse Silver Knights; Playoff Position Clinched. - Milwaukee Wave
- Syracuse Shutout by Milwaukee - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Syracuse Outlasts St. Louis for First Victory on Three-Game Road Trip - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Silver Knights Spear Ambush 9-5 - St. Louis Ambush
- Blast Defeat Kansas City 15-8 - Baltimore Blast
- Barracudas Add Three to the Roster - Brownsville Barracudas
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
