Silver Knights Comeback Falls Short in First Round of Eastern Conference Finals
March 12, 2016 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
SYRACUSE, New York - The Baltimore Blast and the Syracuse Silver Knights battled for the 5th time this season on Friday night. This time with more on the line than in the past. The Silver Knights took the last game of the series during the regular season and were not ready to lay down quietly to the Baltimore Blast.
The first half belong to the Baltimore Blast who got off to a hot start to begin the Eastern Conference Finals. Pat Healey got things started in the first quarter with two goals by himself in just a 1 minutes 30 second span. The Blast would take the 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Blast would own the second quarter once again thanks to two goals by Lucas Roque and Levi Houapeu. Joey Tavernese would score the first goal of the game for the Silver Knights 7:48 into the second quarter on an assist from Nate Bourdeau.
The second half would tell a greatly different tale for the Silver Knights who were not going to go down without a fight in Baltimore.
The Blast would get the third quarter started with a goal just 2:43 into the quarter to increase their lead to 5-1. All the momentum was leaning towards the Blast in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals, but Tommy Tanner's side would not give up that easily.
The Silver Knights would come back to score 4 unanswered goals from Slav, Toby and Manfut. Tavernese would add to his goal scoring total for the year by scoring a 6th attacker goal with just :24 seconds remaining. The 4 unanswered goals would push the Silver Knights and Baltimore Blast into the first overtime of the Eastern Conference Championship.
The two teams would find plenty of chance in the first over time but none finding the back of the net. Both Oquinn, and Vanzela would come up with several saves to keep their teams in the game. The teams would reaming locked in at 5 goals heading into the second overtime period. An over time that would eventually decide it all.
The Silver Knights had their chances but the Blast took advantage of a free kick at the top of the circle late in the second overtime period. Tony Donatelli scored on a restart free kick from Pat Healey to top the Silver Knights 6-5 in the first game of the Eastern Conference Championship.
The Silver Knights will return to the OnCenter War Memorial for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday, March 13th at 4pm. Join us as the Silver Knights look to make history and take down the Blast and advance to the third round of the MASL Playoffs. Call 315-303-7261 for ticket information now!
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from March 12, 2016
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- Silver Knights Comeback Falls Short in First Round of Eastern Conference Finals - Syracuse Silver Knights
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