Knights Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Gutsy OT Win

February 16, 2013 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release


ROCHESTER, NY- The Syracuse Silver Knights, facing a must win game, pulled out one of the most exciting wins of the season to defeat the Rochester Lancers 17-15 in overtime on the road. This win marked a Knight's sweep of the Lancers this season, winning all 5 matches, a very impressive feat.

A "run and gun" style of play dictated the 1st quarter, leading to some very exciting, fast paced shots from both sides. The rivalry between these two teams always brings about this intense play style with changing possession and constant transitioning.

After the Lancers started the game with a 3-point finish, the Knights' Slavisa Ubiparipovic had a beautiful run, resulting in an assist. Following a midway quarter timeout, Slavisa tore down the middle of the field, weaving in and out of Lancer defenders and ultimately finding Ryan Pierce. Pierce buried the ball in the upper corner of the net, cutting the Lancers' lead 3-2 heading into the 2nd quarter.

The Knights started the second quarter strong with an amazing set up courtesy of Slavisa. Standing outside the arc, Slavisa curled the ball around two defenders, perfectly hitting off of Neto's knee for a tap in goal. With Neto's 30th goal on the season, the Knights took a 4-3 lead early in the 2nd quarter.

Minutes later, Mauricio Salles, one of the league's leading scorers, finished a bouncing ball to take back the lead.

Slavisa responded once again, rounding out his amazing first half. Taking the restart kick, Slavisa sent the ball across the goal to Kenardo Forbes, who rocketed a goal into the lower corner. Syracuse was back on top.

The Knights' defense had some tough breaks in the last few minutes of the half, and the Lancers scored twice to close out the 2nd quarter. Syracuse headed into the locker room with some work to do as they trailed 9-6 in a must win game.

The Lancers came out very strong in the second half, scoring twice in the first four minutes and bringing their lead up to 13-6.

After the Lancers spent a lot of time the in Knight's defensive third, Bryan O'Quinn started a beautiful counterattack. O'Quinn sent an outlet pass to Josh Bennett, who found Pierce streaking down the side. Pierce sent a bullet across the box and into the back of the net, his second of the day. That nice transition gave the Knights some life and cut the lead to 5 points.

Nelson Santana, feeding off of that momentum, hit a 3-point shot, one of his most memorable goals of the season. Santana fired the ball, shooting between the yellow line and midfield, for a stunning goal that even left some Knights in shock.

As the Knights cut the lead 13-11, the game got more heated and very physical. The Knights played a very aggressive final quarter, applying early pressure and making a lot of great scoring opportunities. With only 3 minutes left in the game, Syracuse finally tied the game with a goal from Andriy Budnyy. Budnyy turned at the top of the box and laced one into the corner keeping the Knights' playoff hopes alive.

With just 28 seconds left, the Lancers had a counter attack and Evan McNeley hit a shot through the legs of Bryan O'Quinn as the Lancers stormed the field thinking they had sealed the game.

The Knights were not done yet. Getting a restart at the top of the arc with just 11 seconds left, the Knights' Santana found Andriy Budnyy for the tap in to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Knights defended a Lancers 2-v-1 attack and immediately transitioned into a counterattack, resulting in Forbe's game winning goal. The Knights swept the Lancers in regular season play this year, with 5 wins against their rivals.

The Silver Knights are back in action at the Oncenter War Memorial this Friday February 22nd. The game features a pregame Happy Hour starting at 5:30 with the SAMMY award nominee Mike McKay Band on the War Memorial VIP Stage. The Knights will also be wearing and auctioning Pink Jerseys to benefit the Caroline M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund. Come support the Knights in what is the 2nd to last regular season home game. Call the office at 315-303-7261 and ask for the Dunkin Donuts 2 for $25 ticket special and receive a $5 gift card.



Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from February 16, 2013


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