Silver Knights Win Game 2; Lose to Blast 4-3 in Mini-Game

March 11, 2014 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Silver Knights (MISL #4) traveled to the Baltimore Arena for the return fixture of their playoffs double-header. Following their defeat five days prior, the Silver Knights faced the Baltimore Blast (MISL #1) in the hope of forcing a Game Three "˜mini-game'. Thanks to a disciplined defensive display the Silver Knights were able to do just that, defeating the Blast 9-6.

The Silver Knights fell behind early to good combination play from the Blast. Diego Zuniga held the ball up before releasing JT Noone. The Blast forward cleverly slipped in Lucas Roque who finished the move (6').

The Silver Knights were still doing well despite the early goal they conceded. Defensively they blocked out the wings well and challenged the Blast to break them down through the middle. The Silver Knights relinquished their usual possession-focused game and instead attempted the break the Blast's midfield pressing by playing more directly. The Strategy paid off. Bryan O'Quinn hurled the ball up the field, Kenardo Forbes picked up the second ball and squared it for Nate Bourdeau at the top of the arc. Bourdeau made mistakes and equalized (11') on the Silver Knight's first shot of the game.

The goal gave the Silver Knights confidence as they intensified their pressing. Silver Knights captain Nelson Santana and Marcos Chantel kept things tight at the back, especially with Roque who had threatened on a number of occasions. The Silver Knights defense was very effective in disrupting the Blasts' short passing build-up around the arc. But when the Blast did find an opening, the Silver Knights could always count on O'Quinn's saves to take them level into halftime at 2-2.

The two teams returned from halftime with renewed intensity and drive. It was end-to-end action, with both O'Quinn and William Vanzela shining for their respective teams. Both goalkeepers pulled out great saves to keep their teams into it. But the take-away of an action-packed third quarter would in fact be Slavisa Ubiparipovic's goal on the powerplay (36'), which gave the Silver Knights a 4-2 lead over the Blast.

The Silver Knights held their narrow lead into the final quarter and continued to focus on their defense. They kept the pressure well and broke when the opportunities came around. It was Antonio Manfut who set the Silver Knights on their way. The Silver Knights forward picked up the ball outside the arc and blasted a ferocious shot into the top-corner (52'), giving his team a 7-2 lead.

Mike Lookingland would not down tools however. The Blast captain surged forward and fired in a powerful low drive. Tony Donatelli stepped in the shot's path and deflected it (54') past the flat-footed O'Quinn. But Kenardo Forbes restored the five-point lead at 9-4 a minute later, blasting his shot in (55') on a restart.

The Blast threw in all they had in the dying moments with the sixth attacker. Patrick Healey picked up the ball after the Silver Knights defense failed to clear quickly enough. The Blast defender found Donatelli in the area, who finished (58') to set up a nervy end to the game.

It all was for naught however, as the Silver Knights emerged worthy 9-6 winners. The Silver Knights executed perfectly on the night. They defended resolutely and played with a lot of discipline. More importantly, they corrected their mistakes from the previous fixture, and this time showed the clinical edge at the other end of the pitch that had sorely eluded them in the first leg of this double-header.

Mini-game Recap: Valiant Silver Knights Fall Short in Mini-Game

After the Syracuse Silver Knights' 9-6 away victory over the Baltimore Blast, the two teams squared off in a final tie-breaking 15-minute mini-game. The Blast were made to sweat for their 4-3 win, as the Silver Knights threatened to snatch victory from right under their noses.

The Blast piled on the pressure early and called Bryan O'Quinn into action. The Silver Knights goalkeeper had to make a big save seconds into the game to deny the Blast from taking the lead.

The Blast kept attacking but struggled to find a way through the resolute Silver Knights defense. The opening soon came however, when Bozidar Jelovac handled the ball inside his area. The referee pointed to the spot and gave Mike Lookingland opportunity to open the scoring. The Blast captain faced off against O'Quinn and blasted the ball past him (2'), giving the hosts the 2-0 lead.

The Blast momentarily retreated to protect their lead. The Silver Knights accepted the hosts' invitation and began attacking in waves. The Silver Knights never created too much to worry the Blast however.

The Baltimore outfit responded with a lightning counter-attack of their own, which started harmlessly from a clearance. Marco Mangione latched on to the ball and sprinted alone towards goal. He slipped the ball past O'Quinn but only to see it smash against the post. The Blast forward stayed alert however and dove to head in his own rebound (10'), doubling the Blast's lead at 4-0.

Silver Knights' head coach Tommy Tanner pulled the sixth attacker to snatch the victory. Slavisa Ubiparipovic came up with a piece of magic. The Silver Knights forward took aim and fired in a looping long-range effort (13') to bring his team within a point.

The Silver Knight's last chance of a gripping end to the game came in the final minute, when Kenardo Forbes drew a foul just outside the arc. Ubiparipovic's looped came off the crossbar; Machel Millwood looked set to turn the ball in for a tap-in but William Vanzela smothered the effort to deny the Silver Knights' forward.

The Blast therefore emerged victorious in this mini-game, only just edging the Silver Knights 4-3. The Silver Knights fought hard to force the tie-break however, pushing the Blast well up against the wall, and only narrowly missed out on booking their MISL finals berth against the Missouri Comets.

For Information on season tickets for 2014-2015 call the Syracuse Silver Knights office and 315-303-7261. Early Bird specials running now.



Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from March 11, 2014


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