TROPICS COME FROM BEHIND FOR 7-6 WIN OVER BLAST
Baltimore, MD – The Blast returned to Towson SECU Arena to take on the Florida Tropics for the second time this season. In the intense match-up, the Blast fell to the Tropics, 6-7. William Vanzela returned to goal after being out on injury the last three games.
The Blast started off with a strong lead when Adriano Dos Santos found the back of the net with an assist from Ozzy Annang. The Blast would continue their lead when Jereme Raley scored with another assist from Ozzy. Nelson Santana would take advantage of the power play, extending the Blast lead 3-0. Lucas Montelares would cut the Blast lead by one, recording the Tropics’ first goal of the night. Victor Parreiras would quickly return with an assist from Drew Ruggles. The Tropics would end the first quarter trailing the Blast by one.
Tony Donatelli would take the lead into the second quarter extending the Blast lead, 4- 2. After many back-to-back power plays for each team, this would ultimately be the only goal of the second quarter. The Blast would maintain their lead at the end of the first half.
Late into the third quarter, Chad Vandegriffe would record his first goal of the night. Ricardo Carvalho would take advantage of the power play, evening the score 4-4. Tony Donatelli would return with his second goal of the night, following a penalty kick on the Tropics, extending the Blast lead by one.
Ricardo De Queiro Diegues would find the back of the net at the start of the 4th quarter, cutting the blasts lead (5-5). Ricardinho Carvalho would give the Tropics a one-point lead, with an assist from Victor Parreiras. Both goalkeepers, William Vanzela and Brett Petricek saw their fair share of action on both sides of the field tonight. Nelson Santana would take advantage of the power play with an assist from Tony Donatelli, evening the score 6-6. Taking advantage of William Vanzela’s fumble on the return pass, Ricardo De Queiroz Diegues would gain possession and find the back of the net, extending the Tropics lead by one. The Blast moved to a sixth-attacker offense with Jonatas Melo. With 20 seconds remaining, the Blast made the last play that was close to a goal but was blocked by Jamie Thomas. The Blast fought hard to the very end, but ultimately fell to the Tropics, 6-7. The Blast recorded 32 shots and the Tropics recorded 35 shots.
The Blast were led by Nelson Santana and Tony Donatelli each with 2 goals and Ozzy Annang with 2 assists. Goalkeeper, William Vanzela, recorded 20 saves.