Silver Knights Unable to beat Blast
January 10, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
SYRACUSE, New York - The Syracuse Silver Knights (5-6, Eastern Division #2) were unable to hand the Baltimore Blast (10-0, Eastern Division #1) their first defeat in the 2014-2015 MASL season, falling 22-4 at the Royal Farms Arena on Saturday night.
The loss drops Syracuse to 3-16 all-time against Baltimore, including the winless four-match series in the current campaign.
Jonatas Melo notched a hat trick in the Blast victory.
Anthony Grant provided both goals for the Orange, Silver and Black.
The Brazilian playmaker, Melo, started the scoring for the Maryland side 2:15 into the game. The midfielder shimmied his way past a defender to fire a shot through the legs of GK Bryan O'Quinn.
With 9:08 left in the opening period, Danny Kelly's team continued to feast on Silver Knights giveaways. After a turnover at midfield, Diego Zuniga provided a needed toe poke to give Baltimore the 4-0 advantage early on.
A Syracuse own goal spotted the Blast a 6-0 lead, when Grant responded for Syracuse. The Knights Rookie stole the ball away from Lucio Gonzaga and tucked his shot just under the bar to beat GK William Vanzela. The finish made it 6-2 with 5:58 left in the opening period.
Tommy Tanner's team would be held scoreless from that point until the 7:34 mark of the third quarter. The Charm City club took a 12-2 margin into halftime, including a 10-0 run until Anthony Grant's strike in the third frame.
Jonatas Melo finished his three score effort in the fourth quarter. Lucas Roque spotted Melo on a run on the far post for a tap-in to give the hosts the 22-4 lead with 11:41 to go in the contest. It was Baltimore's final tally of the match.
O'Quinn did his best to keep the margin close, but the Knights were outshot 27-15 and only blocked 8 Blast chances. The 'Cuse goalkeeper stopped 9 total shots on the night.
SSK are back in the Salt City next weekend for a two-game home stand in the War Memorial against the Rochester Lancers Friday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m. EST and the Harrisburg Heat Sunday, January 18, at 1:00 p.m. EST. 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 10, 2015
- Sockers Roll Past Heat 11-4 in San Diego - San Diego Sockers
- MKE Wave Defeats Tough Chicago Mustangs Team Saturday Night - Milwaukee Wave
- Mustangs Stifled by Milwaukee - Chicago Mustangs
- Missouri Defeats Revolution - Tulsa Revolution
- Comets Crush Tulsa Revolution - Kansas City Comets
- Ambush Lose To Wichita In Final Minutes - St. Louis Ambush
- Silver Knights Unable to beat Blast - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Blast Defeat Syracuse 22-4 - Baltimore Blast
- San Diego Sockers Game Notes vs. Harrisburg Heat - San Diego Sockers
- Revolution at Comets Saturday Night - Tulsa Revolution
- Ontario Withstands Furious Rally by Heat, Wins 10-9 - Ontario Fury
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.
