BLAST DEFEAT SIDEKICKS

by Steve Cooke

The Baltimore Blast traveled to Dallas on Saturday night for a matchup against the Sidekicks. In the first meeting between the teams since 2004, the Blast were victorious 8-4.

The Sidekicks took the early lead with goals from Jamie Lovegrove and VcMor Eligwe. Despite outshooting the Sidekicks 7-3 in the opening quarter the Blast offense was not able to find the back of the net. At the end of the first the Sidekicks led 2-0.

The Blast offense would capitalize on opportunities in the second quarter. The Blast tied the game at 2 after scoring back to back goals opening the quarter. Andrew Hoxie recorded the first Blast goal off an assist from Tony Donatelli and seconds later Jonatas Melo recorded his fifth goal of the season. The Blast leading goal scorer, Vini Dantas, would give the Blast their first lead with a goal assisted by Jonatas Melo. Before the end of the quarter Donatelli and Hoxie would connect again to push the Blast lead to 2. Donatelli recorded his team leading 10th assist and Hoxie recorded his 7th goal of the season. At the half the Blast led 4-2.

In the second half both teams came out physical in a back and forth game. The Sidekicks Cameron Brown would record a goal to start the half which made it his 20th straight game recording at least one goal. Cody Ellis would tie the game at 4 when he scored for Dallas assisted by Gabe Arredondo. With only 2 seconds remaining in the quarter the Blast would retake the lead when Tony Donatelli recorded a goal assisted by Vini Dantas. The Blast went into the final quarter leading 5-4.

Donatelli would strike again to start the final quarter with his second goal of the night. This was his 7th goal of the season. The Blast defense would shut down the Sidekicks offense in the quarter and Tony Donatelli would complete the hat trick in the final two minutes of the game with a goal against the 6th attacker. Jonatas Melo would record an empty net goal to seal the victory. At the final buzzer the Blast defeated the Sidekicks 8-4.

The Blast were led by Tony Donatelli who recorded 3 goals and 2 assists on the night. Jonatas Melo and Andrew Hoxie each recorded 2 goals. Blast goalkeeper, William Vanzela, recorded 5 saves in the victory.

The Blast will be back in action December 29th when they travel to Syracuse to take on the Silver Knights in an eastern divisional matchup. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. EST.