BLAST NEVER TRAIL IN 8-3 WIN OVER UTICA

by Mikayla Mellis/Blast

Baltimore, MD – The Blast returned to Towson SECU Arena to take on Utica City for the fifth time this season. Utica City would be looking for a win against Baltimore after coming up short each matchup this season. The Blast defeated Utica City, 8-3. 

The Blast started off with a strong lead when Lucas Roque found the back of the net with an assist from Kalou. Utica would quickly answer with a goal from Nate Bourdeau. Adriano Dos Santos would record his first goal of the night with an assist from Tony Donatelli. Tony Donatelli would keep the pace going, extending the Blast lead, 3-1. These would be the only goals of the first half, as neither team could find the back of the net during the third quarter. 

Ozzy Annang would open the second half with an assist from Juan Pereira. The Blast maintained a strong defense against Utica. With 35 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Joey Tavernese would let a goal slip past William Vanzela, cutting the blast lead by one. 

Jonatas Melo would record his first of the night with a sharp pass from Nelson Santana. Joey Tavernese would answer with his second goal of the night, assisted by Cristhian Segura. Lucas Roque would quickly return and extend the Blast lead, 6-3. Utica City would move to a sixth-attacker offense with Nate Bourdeau. Juan Pereira and Josh Hughes would take advantage of the empty net both recording back-to-back goals for Baltimore. The Blast would crank up the energy and finish the game with a strong lead, defeating Utica City, 8-4.. 

The Blast were led by Tony Donatelli and Lucas Roque each with 2 goals and Nelson Santana and Ibrahima “Kalou” Keita with 1 assist. Goalkeeper, William Vanzela, recorded 11 saves.