The only time the Blast trailed last night was when it hurt the most -- late in the last quarter of a close game.

But still spoiling from a first-class thumping at the hands of Cleveland the night before, the team refused to give in.

On a goal by Brad Smith in the last four minutes, the Blast (3-6)squeezed by the Harrisburg Heat, 13-12.

Denison Cabral, who had earlier scored three goals, launched a shot on goal. Smith, who showed up at the Arena not feeling the best, outhustled other players fighting for the ball and pushed it past Heat goalie John Kluba.

Thereafter, it was up to new goalie Brett Phillips to preserve the lead.

He did an admirable job considering Harrisburg sent 18 shots his way in the last period, including a half-dozen in the last three minutes.

The Heat, held to just seven shots on goal in the first half, began to force action in the offensive zone in the third quarter, and it paid off.

Mark Pulisic cut the visitors' deficit to two points at the 4: 11 mark.

After Tarik Walker had pushed the Blast advantage to 10-6 at mid-period, Harrisburg forced a tie heading into the final period, drawing a bit of luck in scoring its equalizing goals. Phillips made a save but fumbled the ball ahead, allowing Gerson Etcheverry to nudge in a two-pointer on the rebound.

Bill Becher scored for the Heat when no Blast defender was around to clear a bloop pass near the goalie.

Dominating the Heat heading into the last minute before intermission, the home team was cruising, 8-0, mainly on the efforts of two goals by Denison Cabral and three excellent setup assists by newcomer Franklin McIntosh.

Cabral hit a one-point shootout goal to start the scoring three minutes into the second period.

A Blast blitz was under way. Doug Neely converted a power play. Then, at two-minute intervals, Troy Snyder, Cabral and Derrick Marcano all found the back of the Harrisburg net.

The Blast came within 38 seconds of blanking its longtime rivals in the first half.

At the 14: 22 mark, David Bascome broke the shutout bid of Brett Phillips before the new goalkeeper caused his own problem less than 30 seconds later.

Phillips inadvertently kicked a clear into the stands, giving the visitors a restart kick.

Jim Hesch converted through a screen.

Absolutely nothing happened in the first quarter, as both teams demonstrated textbook road-game soccer: play conservatively, take no chances and hope and pray for a break.

How uneventful was the first 15 minutes?

Harrisburg was credited with just two shots on goal, neither of which got close, so Phillips was not credited with facing a shot or recording a save.

NOTES: The Heat owns a 21-16 series advantage over Baltimore franchises but is only 6-13 at the Baltimore Arena. The Blast plays at Florida Friday, in Harrisburg Saturday, then hosts Philadelphia Dec. 18. Gino DiFlorio entered last night's game with 30 points for Harrisburg, an average of five points a game.

Pub Date: 12/06/98