Blast Advance to Eastern Conference Finals
March 11, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Baltimore Blast News Release
William Vanzela and teammates celebrate after scoring a goal
(Baltimore Blast)
The Blast hosted Rochester on Wednesday night to take on the Lancers for the Eastern Division Final. In a playoff battle, Baltimore was able to defeat Rochester 6-4.
The game got off to a slow start with only one goal scored in the first quarter. Diego Zuniga put the Blast up first with a goal at the 11:57 mark off an assist from Aduato Neto.
This was Zuniga's 13th goal of the season and at the end of the first the Blast led 2-0.
The second quarter started with Mauricio Salles, the leading point scorer for the Lancers, tying the game at 2 with a goal at the 1:49 mark. Minutes later Brad Vanino recorded a goal that gave the Lancers their first lead of the night. The Blast would answer when Pat Healey recorded his 8th goal of the season assisted by Adriano Dos Santos. At the half the Blast and Lancers were tied 4-4.
In the second half the fast paced action continued. After a Lancer penalty the Blast were able to take advantage of a power play when Tony Donatelli, who leads the Blast in points, recorded his 18th goal of the season. The Blast went into the final quarter leading 6-4.
Both teams came out with high intensity during the fourth quarter. The Blast defense held the Lancers scoreless in the quarter and sealed the victory to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The final score was 6-4.
The Blast move to 19-2 on the season and 1-0 in the playoffs. The Blast were led offensively by Diego Zuniga, Pat Healey, and Tony Donatelli who recorded the 3 Blast goals of the night. Pat Healey, who recorded a huge goal in the game, also anchored the Blast defense with 3 blocks and helped hold the Lancers offense to only 14 shots. Goalkeeper William Vanzela recorded 6 saves and improves to 15-2.
The Blast advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and will host the Central Division Champion on Friday, March 13th at 7:35p.m. from the Royal Farms Arena. The Central Division Championship will be played between the Missouri Comets and Milwaukee Wave tomorrow night at 7:00p.m. CST. Game 2 and the potential mini game will take place on Sunday, March 15th at the Central Division Champions arena.
Images from this story
 William Vanzela and teammates celebrate after scoring a goal |
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from March 11, 2015
- Lancers Season Comes to End on the Road - Rochester Lancers
- Las Vegas Legends Take on Monterrey Flash on Friday, March 13 - Las Vegas Legends
- Blast Advance to Eastern Conference Finals - Baltimore Blast
- Fontana, Walls & Bennett Named MASL Top Playoff Performers - Milwaukee Wave
- Preview: Comets Open Playoffs on Thursday against the Milwaukee Wave - Kansas City Comets
- World Cup Comes To Rochester - Rochester Lancers
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