OUTLAWS FALL TO UTICA CITY FC IN OVERTIME

MESQUITE, Texas (January 7, 2023) – Mesquite Outlaws fall 8-9 against Utica City FC in overtime in Utica, New York at the Adirondack Bank Center.

The Outlaws started early with a goal in 47 seconds, scored by Sebastian Mendez. Luiz Morales put one in the back of the net to put Outlaws ahead by 2, a few seconds later. Gordy Gurson put Utica on the scoreboard in the fifth minute of the 1st quarter. Axel Chakounte made the score 3-1 for the Outlaws in the 8th minute after heading the ball into the goal. Rafa Godoi quickly added another for Utica in the 9th minute. Bo Jelovac scored for Utica in the 13th minute, ending the first quarter with a 3-3 tie.

With 10 seconds into the second quarter, Emmanuel Aguirre was issued a blue card for boarding, giving Joey Tavernese a chance to score a powerplay in the second minute of the quarter, putting Utica up by one. Luiz Morales scored his second of the night quickly after, tying the game. Cristhian Segura answered a minute later, once again putting Utica ahead. Morales scored a hattrick for the Outlaws under 5 minutes in to the second quarter, once again tying up the score at 5-5. Jonathan Cisneros for Outlaws was issued a blue card for holding, giving Tavernese a powerplay goal in the 6th minute. The score 5-6 Utica at halftime.

Luiz Morales scored his fourth goal of the night, tying the game at 6-6 in the 11th minute of the third quarter. Rafa Godoi scored his second goal of the night for Utica, once again putting Utica ahead and ending the third quarter with a 6-7 score.

The fourth quarter started with many shots for the Outlaws, but Gordy Gurson scored for Utica, putting them ahead by 2 in the 6th minute. Luiz Morales scored his 5th goal of the game in the 7th minute, the score now 7-8 Utica. Sebastian Mendez tied the game with his second goal of the night for the Outlaws, now 8-8, sending the game into overtime.

Within 14 seconds into overtime, Gordy Gurson scored for Utica. Outlaws losing 8-9 in overtime.

Luiz Morales scored a total of 5 goals for the Outlaws, being the top scorer of the night. The Outlaws are now 5-1-1, and Utica City FC are 3-4-0, with Mesquite still topping the standings in the Western Division with 16 points.

The next game for the Outlaws is Sunday, January 15th against Dallas Sidekicks at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas. Kickoff for the game is at 3:0 pm CST. Games can be viewed live on the MASL Twitch channel, and game updates will be given on all Mesquite Outlaws social media accounts (@mesquiteoutlaws).