Baltimore Blast News Release -- www.baltimoreblast.com
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Just the Facts:
Friday November 9 vs. Chicago Soul
Saturday, November 10 vs. Syracuse Silver Knights
1st Mariner Arena, 7:35 p.m.
By the Numbers:
Baltimore Blast: 1-0 after 23-13 home opener win over Chicago Soul last weekend
Chicago Soul: 1-1 after two opening-weekend road games
Syracuse Silver Knights: 1-1 after two opening-weekend home games
The Baltimore Blast kicked off their 33rd season of professional indoor soccer in Baltimore last weekend with a 23-13 win over Friday night’s opponent, the Chicago Soul. The Soul, led by former Blast player Carlos Farias, jumped out to a 7-2 lead after just four minutes of play but Blast newcomer Tony Donatelli recorded three first-quarter goals to lead the Blast to a come-from-behind victory. Machel Millwood, Baltimore’s longest-tenured player, recorded two goals and one assist in the victory as eight different Blast players scored in the game.
There’s No Place Like Home
The Blast, 9-3 at home last season, start 2012-13 with four straight home games in the span of just 13 days. The team has boasted winning records at home each of the last six seasons and has had winning home records in 17 of the last 19 seasons. The Blast enter this weekend’s games on a seven-game regular-season home win streak.
Welcome to Baltimore
Tony Donatelli, who was named to the MISL Team of the Week after his opening-night performance, recorded three goals in 14 minutes to keep the Blast in the game and lead the team to victory. Donatelli added an assist late in the game for seven total points in his return to the indoor field. Goalkeeper Troy Hernandez also made his Blast debut last weekend, turning away nine of the 15 shots he faced and Lucas Roque, another newcomer, contributed one assist.
The Competition
The Soul, captained by veterans Matthew Stewart and Jeff Richey, opened their inaugural season with a 13-8 win over the Syracuse Silver Knights before Saturday night’s loss in Baltimore. Led by Farias (nine points), Bato Radoncic and Carlos Munoz (five points each), the Soul will play their first seven games on the road before hosting their home opener on December 7. Stewart, a member of the 2012 MISL Championship Milwaukee Wave, also previously played for the Chicago Storm and Rockford Rampage. Richey, a former goalkeeper for the Chigo Riot and Rockford Rampage, returns to the MISL this season. The Soul are coached by Manny Rojas.
The Silver Knights, who lost their season opener to the Soul, bounced back the following night for a 16-10 win over the Rochester Lancers. Led by Nelson Santana (eight points), Matt Clare (five points) and Andre Berenzen (four points), the Knights placed two players, Santana and goalkeeper Bryan O’Quinn, on this week’s MISL Team of the Week.
Upcoming Games
Friday, November 16 vs. Milwaukee Wave – 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, November 17 at Rochester – 7 p.m.
MISLNation
Every MISL game this season can be seen live on the Internet at MISLNation.com.