Blast Fall to Flash 6-4 in Double OT
March 20, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Baltimore Blast News Release
The Blast hosted the Monterrey Flash on Friday night in game one of the MASL Championship Series. This was the first time this season the two teams met and the game proved to be a defensive battle. In a double overtime thriller the Blast fell to the Flash 6-4.
The game got off to a slow start with only one goal recorded in the opening quarter. The Monterrey Flash scored the first goal of the game when Armando Teran found the back of the net at the 6:36 mark assisted Alex Caceres. At the end of the first the Flash led 2-0.
The second quarter began with Aduato Neto tying the game at 2 with a Blast goal assisted by William Vanzela. The remainder of the quarter was scoreless as both teams showed why they were two of the best defenses in the MASL. Goalkeeper William Vanzela recorded 5 saves in the half while Pat Healey and the Blast defense held the Flash to only 7 shots. At the half the game was tied 2-2.
In the second half both teams came out focusing on controlling possession and playing solid defense. No goals were scored in the 3rd quarter. The teams entered the final quarter looking to break a 2-2 tie.
That tie would be broken when the Blast's Lucas Roque was able to beat a defender and set up Tony Donatelli for the finish giving the Blast their first lead of the night. Donatelli, who led the team in points during the regular season, also leads the Blast in the postseason with 6. The Flash would answer at the 9:54 mark with a goal from Edgar Flores to tie the game back up at 4. With both teams unable to score again before the end of regulation the game went into a 10 minute overtime period.
In the first overtime period the Blast were able to get 4 shots off but they were unable to find the back of the net. The defense held the Flash to only 2 shots in the overtime and the tie was not broken which sent the game to sudden death second overtime.
The teams continued to battle in the second overtime and at the 8:36 mark the Monterrey Flash scored the game winning goal when Armando Teran recorded his second goal of the night. At the final buzzer the Blast had fallen 6-4.
The Blast move to 21-3 on the season and 3-1 in the playoffs. The Blast were led offensively by Adauto Neto and Tony Donatelli who recorded the Blast goals on the night. Goalkeeper William Vanzela recorded 9 saves and showed a remarkable effort in both overtimes.
The Ron Newman Cup will be awarded in Monterrey on Sunday when an MASL Champion is crowned. The Blast will look to even the series in game two and force a mini game for a chance to take the series. Kick off in Monterrey is at 7p.m. EST.
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