SOCKERS WIN 17TH STRAIGHT, TOP BLAST 8-6

Baltimore, MD (March 26th, 2022) – In their last regular-season home game, the Blast returned to Towson University SECU Arena to take on their West Coast rivals’ San Diego Sockers for the second time this season. The Blast were hungry for a win as they came up short, 6-9, the last time these two teams met. Both teams fought down to the last second, but ultimately San Diego took home another win, 6-8.

The Blast jumped out to an early lead when Ozzy Annang found the back of the net. Tavoy Morgan would quickly answer for the Sockers, cutting the Blast lead. The Sockers continued their hot streak recording two goals by Eduardo Velez and Juan Manuel Rojo giving them a 2 goal lead against the Blast. Off a free-kick pass by Jonatas Melo, Ibrahima “Kalou” Keita would record his first goal of the night. The Sockers would take the lead into the second quarter by one goal.

Jonatas Melo would record his first goal of the night, evening the score 3-3. Both teams fought with even strengths, with great saves by both William Vanzela and Boris Pardo. With only one minute remaining, Tavoy Morgan would return with his second goal of the night, allowing the Sockers to lead into the second half, 3-4.

Baltimore started off the second half strong when Kalou recorded his second of the night with an assist from Adriano Dos Santos. Eduardo Velez would get a fast break and record his second goal of the night. With only 29.9 seconds remaining, Jonatas Melo did an incredible job breaking through San Diego’s defense and carried the ball down the field sending a direct pass to Kalou who was ready to record his hat trick. Both teams would go into the fourth quarter tied, 5-5.   

Taking advantage of a deflection of the boards, Eduardo Velez would also record a hat trick early in the fourth quarter. Charlie Gonzalez would capitalize on a turnover by Adriano Dos Santos and extend the Socker’s lead by two. Vini Dantas would strike the ball and Tony Donatelli would quickly grab the rebound off of Pardo, cutting the Sockers lead by 1. With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Baltimore would look to get a shot off, moving to a sixth attacker offense with Jonatas Melo. Unfortunately, this decision was a risk that Brandon Escoto would take advantage of, extending their lead by two on an empty net. After a hard-fought battle, San Diego defeated the Blast, 9-6.  

The Blast were led by Ibrahima ‘Kalou’ Keita with 3 goals and Jonatas Melo with 2 goals and 1 assist. Goalkeeper, William Vanzela, recorded 12 saves.