Blast romps, 18-2, nears playoffs

Blast goalie Sagu

With 12 saves, Blast goalie Sagu (right) was Player of the Game. (Sun photo by Monica Lopossay / March 7, 2008)


By Kent Baker | Special to The Sun
March 8, 2008

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The Blast marched onward toward the Major Indoor Soccer League playoffs last night.

Dressed in camouflage jerseys to honor the U.S. Army, the team humbled the league's defending champions, the Philadelphia KiXX, 18-2, at 1st Mariner Arena, all but clinching a postseason spot.

A victory for New Jersey today against the California Cougars will make official the Blast's return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

The Blast (15-9) showed no rust after a layoff of nearly two weeks, dominating the first half with a 3-to-1 advantage in shots (24-8) while forging a 10-2 lead that proved insurmountable.

It was the Blast's 11th home win in 13 games - best in the league - and ninth in the past 11 overall.

"We put them under a lot of pressure," Blast coach Danny Kelly said. "We caught them on an off night."

Defenders Ryan Pierce and Mike Lookingland scored the first two Blast goals after excellent crossing passes from Adauto Neto and Robbie Aristodemo, respectively, before the front line joined the attack. Denison Cabral saluted the crowd after the first of his two consecutive goals.

Philadelphia (11-15) cut the lead to 8-2 when Don D'Ambra connected at the end of a free kick, but Lucio Gonzaga restored it to eight when KiXX defender Pat Morris accidentally deflected Gonzaga's attempt into the goal.

Blast goalie Sagu (12 saves) was named the Player of the Game.

Philadelphia 0 2 0 0 - 2

Blast 4 6 2 6 - 18

1st quarter: 1. Blast, Pierce (Neto), 6:12; 2. Blast, Lookingland (Aristodemo), 8:21.
2nd quarter: 3. Blast, Cabral (Wakefield), 6:35; 4. Blast, Cabral (Aristodemo), 9:47; 5. Philadelphia, D'Ambra (Nusum), 12:15; 6: Blast, Gonzaga (unassisted), 13.34. Penalty: P, Pappas, 7:47.
3rd quarter: 7. Blast, Gonzaga (Millwood), 6:02. Penalties: P, Steele (5 minutes, unsportsmanlike), 4:51; B, Garcia, 12:17 (5 minutes, dissent).
4th quarter: 8. Blast, Aristodemo (Wakefield), 1:39; 9 Blast, Wakefield (Neto), 4:21; 10. Nelson (unassisted), 5:35. Penalties: P, Barton, 3:32; P, Steele, 12:20; P. Steele (5 minutes, dissent, ejection). A: 9,743.

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Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun

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