BLAST KICK OFF SEASON WITH 8-7 WIN OVER UTICA CITY FC

Baltimore, MD (March 26th, 2022) – The Baltimore Blast returned to Towson University SECU Arena for their home opener of the 2022-23 season, against familiar rivals, Utica City. The last time these two teams met back in March, the Blast defeated Utica, 6-3. Both teams fought down to the last second, but ultimately the Blast recorded their first win. All eyes were on Baltimore’s new rookie #99 Josh Diaz, as he kicked off the game with an amazing goal against Andrew Coughlin. 

Utica jumped off to an early lead when Ronaldinho Diniz found the back of the net with an assist from Andrew Coughlin. The City would return seconds later with Logan Roberts marking his first goal of the night. Gordy Gurson would take advantage of a rebound off post and score on William Vanzela. Tony Donatelli would successfully score on powerplay shootout, cutting Utica’s lead by one. Joey Tavernese would extend the City lead by one with a cross goal pass from Gordy Gurson. Jonatas Melo would answer for the Blast with an assist from Tony Donatelli, 2-4. With less than one minute remaining, Lucas Roque would find the back of the goal off a sharp pass from Jamie Thomas. The Blast would trail by one heading into the second quarter, 3-4. 

Early into second quarter, Lucas Roque would find his second goal of the night from Moises Gonzalez, evening the score to 4-4. Bo Jelovac would record his first of the night, giving Utica a one goal lead. With 2 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Tony Donatelli would take advantage of a powerplay cutting Utica’s lead. Baltimore and Utica would go into the second half tied at 5-5. 

Baltimore would take the lead for the first time of the night when Tony Donatelli recorded his third goal of the night, 6-5. This would be the only goal of the 3rd quarter as both teams were evenly matched.

The Blast would maintain their lead into the fourth quarter when Lucas Roque also recorded a hat trick, extending the Blast lead 7-5. On a penalty kick, Gordy Gurson would find the back of the net cutting the Blast lead by one. Jonatas Melo would answer for the Blast by letting one slip past Andrew Coughlin, extending Baltimore’s lead to 8-6. Gordy Gurson would return with his third goal of the night, with an assist from Issak Somow. Ultimately, Baltimore would secure their first win of the 2022-23 season with a 8-7 result against Utica City. 

The Blast were led by Lucas Roque with 3 goals, 1 assist; Tony Donatelli with 3 goals. Goalkeeper, William Vanzela, recorded 9 saves. 

The Blast return to the SECU Arena December 10th, 2022 at 6:05pm EST to take on the Florida Tropics.