Dantas Returns Home with a Hat Trick, 6-3
March 25, 2022 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Baltimore Blast News Release
Baltimore, MD - The Blast returned to Towson University SECU Arena to take on their rivals' Utica City for the sixth and final meeting this season. The Blast welcomed back a Baltimore favorite, Vini Dantas, who was acquired from the Tacoma Stars late in the season. The Blast defeated Utica City, 6-3.
Utica jumped out to an early lead when Joey Tavernese found the back of the net. Utica started out with a strong defense, making it difficult for Baltimore to get a shot off. With only 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Juan Pereira would find the back of the net evening the score, 1-1.
This slow pace continued into the second quarter as both teams went back and forth, unable to make any advancements towards a goal. The Blast were faced with strong opposition from Utica, who utilized their space well on the field making it difficult for Baltimore to connect their passes. Ultimately, neither team would score before the end of the first half.
The Blast regrouped at halftime and came out with twice the energy. Adriano Dos Santos capitalized off Utica's incomplete pass, allowing Lucas Roque to make a fast break to goal, extending the Blast lead by one. The entire arena was on their feet excited to welcome Vini Dantas back home to Baltimore, when he found the back of the net, recording his first goal with the Blast this season. Once just wasn't enough for Dantas, as he quickly returned with his second of the night, giving the Blast a 3 goal lead.
Only nine seconds into the fourth quarter, the Blast took a 5-1 lead when Vini Dantas scored a hat-trick. Moises Gonzalez found the back of the net late into the fourth quarter, recording Utica's second goal of the night. With a give-and-go off the boards to himself, Lucas Roque would push towards goal, recording his second of the night. As Jake Shindler carried the ball down the right field and shot it across the goal, it was deflected off Josh Hughes as he was running back into the goal, cutting the Blast lead 6-3. The Blast would have a powerplay opportunity but Utica would successfully kill the powerplay. With 55.7 seconds remaining, frustrations were high for Utica, as seen when Domenico Vitale received a yellow card for dissent that quickly escalated to a red card ejection for use of foul language. The Blast defeated Utica, 6-3.
The Blast were led by Vini Dantas with 3 goals and Lucas Roque with 2 goals. Goalkeeper, William Vanzela, recorded 7 saves.
The Blast return home for their final home game of the regular season Saturday, March 26th at the Towson University SECU Arena to take on rivals San Diego Sockers. Kickoff is at 6:05pm EST. Follow the Blast on social media for updates and contact 410-73-BLAST to order tickets or go to baltimoreblast.com.
MASL Match Report March 25th, 2022
Utica City @ Baltimore Blast: SECU Arena
Kickoff: 7:35p.m. EST
Scoring Summary:
Quarter 1 2 3 4 F
Utica 1 0 0 2 3
Baltimore 1 0 3 2 6
Attendance: 1,523
• Discuss this story on the Major Arena Soccer League message board...
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from March 25, 2022
- Kiel Williams Second Career Hat Trick Leads Tropics over Harrisburg 6-5 - Florida Tropics SC
- Dantas Returns Home with a Hat Trick, 6-3 - Baltimore Blast
- Baltimore Holds off Utica City FC Friday Night - Utica City FC
- St. Louis Ambush Square off with Kansas City Saturday - St. Louis Ambush
- Comets Bolster Roster Ahead of Playoffs - Kansas City Comets
- Stars Welcome Chihuahua for Weekend Series - Tacoma Stars
- Wave's Win Thursday Night in Dallas Keeps Playoff Chances Alive - Milwaukee Wave
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.
