Silver Knights Even Thruway Rivalry
January 1, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
SYRACUSE, New York - The Syracuse Silver Knights (4-5, Eastern Division #3) evened the Thruway Rivalry Series at a game apiece, topping the Rochester Lancers (4-3, Eastern Division #2) 18-10 at the Blue Cross Arena on Thursday.
"We played with intensity the entire game," Head Coach Tommy Tanner said. "In order to win championships and games you have to play like that."
Neto continued his sparkling form into 2015 with two goals in the victory. The Brazilian has a team-leading 14 strikes for the season.
The Silver Knights put the Lancers on the defensive from the kickoff. In the second minute, Marcos Chantel fired a shot towards the net. The ball rebounded to SSK newcomer, Mario Swaby. The Jamaican made no mistake, scoring his first of the campaign to put Syracuse up 2-0 with 13:21 to go in the opening quarter.
Swaby found himself involved in another Knights goal at the 4:25 mark of the first frame. After the Lancers equalized through Alex Megson, the forward found himself in behind the Rochester defense to give Syracuse a chance. His opportunity was saved by Marcelo Moreira at the edge of the area, but Swaby stuck to his task. The attacker collected his own rebound and played the ball back to Bo Jelovac behind the three-point line. The defender layered it past the goalkeeper to give the Orange, Silver and Black a 5-2 lead.
Doug Miller's club evened the score in the second quarter. Moreira hurled a long pass to Mauricio Salles on a goalkeeper distribution. The Brazilian collected the toss off his head and onto the boards near the Silver Knights' yellow line. Salles put his laces through the ball and past Bryan O'Quinn to make it 5-5 with 7:15 left until halftime.
Syracuse responded with a flurry. Neto and Antonio Manfut scored less than thirty-seconds apart. Tommy Tanner's team took a 9-5 advantage into the break.
With scoring opportunities few and far between in the third quarter, the Knights held the 9-5 lead into the fourth. Swaby scored his second of the day at the 12:23 point when he redirected Antonio Manfut's pass into the back of the net.
Up 11-5, Rochester and Mauricio Salles made things interesting when his free kick cut the Syracuse lead to three with 10:24 remaining.
Neto iced the contest moments later. With 10:05 to go, the playmaker scored his second of the day and made it 13-8.
Bryan O'Quinn helped seal the result with 13 saves in the effort.
"Bryan was incredible today," Tanner praised. "We blocked shots today, and when we didn't, we got back to defend."
"To win championships and games, that's the way you have to do it."
Darren Toby and Bo Jelovac tallied late goals to seal it for the Orange, Silver and Black.
The Salt City club holds an all-time 13-6 mark against their Thruway Rivals.
The Silver Knights are back in the War Memorial next Friday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. EST in a Thruway Rivalry match against the Lancers. Tickets to all Silver Knights home games will be available at the CNY Family Sports Centre, online at www.syracusesilverknights.com or over the phone at 315- 303-7261.
• Discuss this story on the Major Arena Soccer League message board...
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from January 1, 2015
- Chicago Mustangs Weekend Preview - Chicago Mustangs
- Silver Knights Even Thruway Rivalry - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Rochester Lancers Fall to Syracuse at Home 18-10 - Rochester Lancers
- Lancers Host Syracuse Today - Rochester Lancers
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.
