Gurson's Hat Trick Propels Rampage into Playoffs
February 17, 2018 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Cedar Rapids Rampage News Release
Cedar Rapids Rampage in Action
(Cedar Rapids Rampage)
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Gordy Gurson completed a hat trick with his tap in goal with 41 seconds remaining in the game to give the Cedar Rapids Rampage a 6-5 win over the two-time defending Ron Newman Cup champion Baltimore Blast. The win clinched a playoff spot for the first time in the Rampage's three-year history. The loss for the Blast ended their nine-game winning streak.
The Rampage (10-9) were shut out in the first quarter, while Jonatas Melo's goal at 10:32 gave Baltimore (15-3) a 1-0 lead.
Victor France tied it less than a minute into the second quarter and Derek Huffman's direct kick goal from outside the yellow line gave the Rampage a 2-1 lead.
Former Rampage player/coach Jonathan Greenfield scored in his return to Cedar Rapids to tie the game 2-2 heading into halftime.
Cedar Rapids seemed to pull away in the third quarter with goals by Gurson and Mohamed Kenawy, staking them to a 4-2 lead, but Nelson Santana and Tony Donatelli scored to tie it back up at 4-4 heading into the final 15 minutes.
At 5:46 of the fourth quarter Vini Dantas gave the Blast their first lead since the first quarter, but Gurson tied it again 36 seconds later when his free kick deflected in off a Blast defender.
The score stayed tied until the final minute when a shot caromed off the boards and Blast goalkeeper Joey Kapinos could not control the loose ball. In a scramble Osvaldo Rojas poked the ball to his left where Gurson found the net to give the Rampage the win.
While the Rampage won for the fourth time in five games, the night wasn't a total loss for the Blast who clinched the Eastern Division title thanks to the San Diego Sockers win over the Florida Tropics.
The Rampage now quickly head on the road for games Sunday in Monterrey and Monday in the Rio Grande Valley. They close out the regular season by hosting Monterrey on February 23. In the Division Finals they will face the Milwaukee Wave. Dates for the Rampage's home playoff game will likely be announced next week. Their away game at Milwaukee is already scheduled for March 11.
The next Rampage home game is Friday, February 23 at 7:35pm against the Monterrey Flash. Tickets are now on sale online at Ticketmaster.com and at the U.S. Cellular Center box office.
Images from this story
 Cedar Rapids Rampage vs. Baltimore Blast |
 Cedar Rapids Rampage Huddle |
 Cedar Rapids Rampage in Action |
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from February 17, 2018
- Tropics fall to Sockers, 4-2, as playoff hopes dim - Florida Tropics SC
- Wave Come out on Top in Second of Three against Rival Baltimore Blast - Milwaukee Wave
- Escoto's Late Heroics Give San Diego a Thrilling 5-4 Win in Florida - San Diego Sockers
- Blast Fall to Wave 5-1 - Baltimore Blast
- Kansas City Comets Defeat the Heat - Kansas City Comets
- San Diego Sockers Match Notes at Florida - San Diego Sockers
- Gurson's Hat Trick Propels Rampage into Playoffs - Cedar Rapids Rampage
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