Blast rally in the fourth and win in shootout in Florida, 5-4
LAKELAND, FL. -- The Baltimore Blast snapped a three-game losing streak by going to a shootout to top the Florida Tropics 5-4 in a Major Arena Soccer League Game Wednesday night at the RP Funding Center.
Baltimore got goals 10 seconds apart in the fourth quarter from Lucas Roque and Moises Gonzalez. to tie the game a 4-4. Roque got the game-winner in the shootout, converting the third Baltimore attempt.
Victor Parreiras opened the shootout with a Florida goal, but Lucio Gonzaga and Zach Reget both missed -- with Baltimore's William Vanzela making a save on Gonzaga and Reget missing just a bit high and wide.
Florida's Jorge Navarrete stopped Juan Parreira on Baltimore's first attempt but Max Ferdinand scored on his shot to set up the Roque heroics.
The two teams traded first half goals with Parreiras and Jonatas Melo finding the mark. Gonzalez scored a little over a minute into the third quarter to give Baltimore a 2-1 lead before Florida scored three straight from Zach Reget, Kiel Williams and Vini Dantas to take a 4-2 lead 3:26 into the fourth quarter.
Baltimore outshot Florida, 38-29. It was the first time in the seven year history of the Tropics that they had a game go to a shootout at home. They are now 0-2 in shootouts, losing last February in Dallas to the Sidekicks, 7-6.
The two teams will play again Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m.