Player/coach Kevin Sloan seals dramatic win in final minute
January 11, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
NEWARK, NJ- The New Jersey Ironmen (9-5) achieved some redemption tonight against the Baltimore Blast (6-7) a week after falling to the veteran club at 1st Mariner Arena. The game ended in dramatic fashion when player/assistant coach Kevin Sloan drilled the game-winning goal with only 54 ticks left in the game to uplift the Ironmen to a 13-12 victory. Goalkeeper Tony Meola also picked up his seventh win of the season, tallying 15 saves.
New Jersey forward Mauricio Salles hit the ever-important first goal of the game when he hammered home a deflected shot by defender Gordon Kljestan at 8:42 of the first frame, giving the home team a 2-0 advantage.
Ironmen forward Dizzy Antoniuk sent home a shot after getting his own rebound at 2:44 of the second stanza, but Blast defender Mike Lookingland put the first points on the board for Baltimore by scoring a Adauto Neto assist to bring the Blast within a goal, 4-2. New Jersey midfielder Goran Vasic quickly responded at 4:18 when he registered a three-pointer off a feed from forward Freddy Moojen to increase the lead to 7-2. Baltimore then recorded three unanswered goals to take their first edge of the contest, 8-7. Salles ended the New Jersey drought when he knocked in a Lazo Alavanja ball at 13:27, and the Ironmen took a 9-8 advantage into halftime.
At 13:32 of the third period, Dizzy Antoniuk struck again by finishing off an assist from Moojen to boost the lead to 11-8 for New Jersey.
Blast defender Rey Martinez pulled his club within one point, 11-10, by netting an unassisted goal 59 seconds in the final frame. Guiliano Celenza gave Baltimore a 12-11 lead at 13:38, but Sloan buried the game-winner at 14:06 to give New Jersey the 13-12 victory.
The win improves New Jersey to 9-5 overall and evens their record at home, 3-3. The Ironmen remain in Newark over the next two weeks, next hosting the California Cougars on Saturday, January 19, at 2:00 p.m. Fans ordering two or more advanced tickets at the $20 level or higher will receive a free soccer ball. Get your free ball today by calling 1-800-IRONMEN!
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