Ben Ramin Leads Syracuse to Victory over Heat
December 31, 2017 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Ben Ramin recorded his first career hat trick to give the Syracuse Silver Knights (4-4) its second straight win over the Harrisburg Heat (4-7).
Each team was slow getting out of the gate, with neither squad finding the net for the first seven minutes. With the pace of play sauntering, Syracuse's all-time goals leader started the offensive tempo. Joey Tavernese found Slavisa Ubiparipovic to break the ice after 7:12 gone by in the opening quarter.
But that didn't last long, as Ricardo Carvalho sent the equalizer home just 43 seconds later. As the clock began winding down, Tavernese continued to dish it. The 28-year-old found Patrick Thompson centering up in front of the cage to put Syracuse on top 2-1 with 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Entering the second quarter, the momentum pendulum had swung in the Silver Knights' favor. That shift led to an own goal by the Stephen Basso of the Heat. That goal was credited to Nate Bourdeau approaching ten minutes before the break.
The Silver Knights took that 3-1 into the locker room with a power play waiting for them in the third. Shortly after the man-up opportunity expired, Kenardo Forbes found Ben Ramin for his first goal in the Oncenter War Memorial Arena and his second goal of the year.
Syracuse was cruising with a three-score lead before Harrisburg got a couple back after goals from Thiago Freitas and Dominic Francis, respectively, chopped the margin to one.
The Silver Knights were quick with a response. Ramin tallied his second goal of the game less than a minute later. Just 62 seconds after that, Joey Tavernese netted one unassisted to put Syracuse up 6-3. Freitas tacked on one more, though the Silver Knights still led 6-4 heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter began in exciting fashion. Just 46 seconds into the period, Ubiparipovic was awarded a shootout attempt following a Hugo Silva blue card, and the forward did not disappoint. The 30-year-old sent his left foot through the next to give his team a 7-4 advantage.
Two minutes went by, before Brad Kerstetter cut the lead to two. But any life the Heat found in that goal, was quickly squandered. An interception by Ramin sent the Silver Knights down the field, before a tic tac toe play allowed Ramin to complete his hat trick and put the game on ice.
The Heat added a sixth attacker down the stretch, and it worked in their favor. Danny Diprima hit the back of the net to get Harrisburg back within two, but it was too late. Syracuse secured the 8-6 win to move them to .500 on the season. The Heat stay in last place in the MASL Eastern Division.
Syracuse's next game is against the Tropics down in Florida on January 6th at 7:35pm. The Silver Knights host the Baltimore Blast at the OnCenter War Memorial Arena on January 12th. Kick-off is set for 7:05 p.m. For information on tickets, call 315-303-7261 or log on to syracusesilverknights.com
Copyright © 2017 Syracuse Silver Knights, All rights reserved.
• Discuss this story on the Major Arena Soccer League message board...
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from December 31, 2017
- Game 11 Recap - Brownsville Barracudas
- Ben Ramin Leads Syracuse to Victory over Heat - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Undefeated Milwaukee Wave Face Rival Comets Sunday in New Years Eve Game at Uw-Milwaukee Panther Are - Milwaukee Wave
- Florida Tropics' Ricardo De Queiroz Diegues Namedweek Nine Player of the Week - MASL
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.
