Silver Knights Fall to Valiant Lancers

January 17, 2014 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Silver Knights (7-4) traveled for the second time this season to the Blue Cross Arena on Jan. 17 to take on the Rochester Lancers (4-9). The third-placed Silver Knights have already beaten their Thruway rivals on the three previous occasions, including a comprehensive 20-8 away victory the last time they met. With this encounter having been the first of a two-game weekend set, the Silver Knights got off to an unfortunate start however, falling to a 16-14 defeat.

The game kicked off with the Silver Knights getting the better of their opponents. The Lancers struggled to keep possession in their own half. They made mistakes and often afforded big chances to the Silver Knights. It only took two minutes for Cory Elenio to make the Lancers pay for their slackness. After being slipped in by Nelson Santana, Elenio who coolly finished (2') past Marc Sotile.

The Lancers managed to go level off of their very first strike on goal however. Sotile's long punt found Andrew Hoxie, who chested the ball down and volleyed past Bryan O'Quinn (7'). The lead didn't last long as Elenio's found Machel Millwood at the back-post, who easily tapped in (9') and restored the Silver Knights' lead at 4-2.

Neto widened the gap on the power-play, squeezing his volley (12') at Sotile's near-post. Jake Schindler did give the Lancers a lifeline before the end of the first quarter however. Schindler picked up Bo Jelovac's slack pass out of defense, rounded O'Quinn and slotted (13') into the empty net to cut the Silver Knights' lead back to two points at 6-4.

The Lancers were slowly getting back into the game in the second quarter. In fact, the Silver Knights still struggled to increase the tempo of their play. Schindler took advantage of the opportunity as he ran onto the ball inside the arc and unleashed a powerful shot. His proactive play benefited from some luck, as his shot met a deflection from Darren Toby (18') that turned it past the flat-footed O'Quinn.

With the score now tied at 6-6, the game became much more evenly balanced. The Silver Knights attacked well, but lacked a bit of sharpness in their movement to really cut open the Lancers' defense. The Lancers worked harder and made more of the midfield battle.

Off the restart, the Silver Knights found the opening. Santana laid off the free-kick, Millwood dummied the pass for the onrushing Jelovac at the top of the arc, who slammed the ball into the back of the net (26'). The Silver Knights' slack play gave the Lancers another sniff on goal however. Juninho pick-pocketed Marcos Chantel in and won the penalty, following the Silver Knights defender's foul.

Miller stepped up to take the penalty kick, and coolly fired (27') past O'Quinn to tie up the game at 8-8. Off of the restart, before halftime, Mauricio Salles picked up a poor clearance at the top of the arc. The Lancers player settled the ball and volleyed home (28') to give Rochester a 10-8 lead.

The return for the third quarter was as lively as the first half in terms of goals. Slavisa Ubiparipovic resumed the reprisals with a neat finish (37') to bring the Silver Knights level at 10-10. Elenio followed, restoring the Silver Knights' lead as he rocketed the ball into the top-corner (40').

Both sides were much more energetic in this second half. Stephen Basso nodded in (41') Schindler's cross from close range to tie the game again. But the Silver Knights fought back immediately. Sotile's mistake allowed Nate Bourdeau in, who rounded the Lancers goalkeeper and squared the ball to Millwood. Although the midfielder failed to make contact with the cross, it was a Lancers defender who turned the ball into his own net to hand back a 14-12 lead to the Silver Knights.

But it was the Lancers who then raced to the lead in an impressive five-minute salvo. Their staunch defending and clinical counter-attacking helped them overturn the result. First it was Gary Boughton who found himself alone in the area, turned, and fired (47') past O'Quinn. Salles gave the Lancers the 16-14 lead as his shot met a deflection (52') from Toby - for the second time on the night - that turned it in his own net.

It was a brave effort from the Lancers who fought hard to hold on to their lead. The Silver Knights played poorly, lacked energy in attack and focus in defense. It was especially an important win for the Lancers, and an all-action performance from Schindler to help his side put an end to a nine-game losing streak against their Thruway rivals.

Syracuse turn around and return home for its first game against the Baltimore Blast this Sunday, January 19th at 1:00 p.m. EST. This game will also feature the 3rd annual Media Halftime. Single game and season tickets are selling fast. To become a Silver Knights Supporter call their office at 315-303-7261 and get your tickets today!



Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from January 17, 2014


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