FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Barry Stitz and Mark Thomas scored late in the fourth quarter to give the Blast (17-16) an 8-6 victory over the Florida Thundercats (12-20) in a National Professional Soccer League game last night.

Stitz broke a 4-4 tie with a two-pointer at 6: 24 of the fourth quarter, before Thomas scored at 9: 30 to make it 8-4.

The Thundercats' Willy Guimmarra completed his hat trick with a two-point goal at 14: 49 to provide for the final margin.

Blast 2 0 2 4 -- 8

Florida 2 2 0 2 -- 6

First quarter--1. Blast, Walker 2 pt. (McIntosh), 5: 29; 2. Florida, Guimmarra 2 pt. (DosSantos) 7: 53. Penalties--None.

Second quarter--4. Florida, Guimmarra 2 pt. (Smith), 4: 41. Penalties--None.

Third quarter--5. Blast, Snyder 2 pt. (Thomas), 6: 20. Penalties--None.

Fourth quarter--6. Blast, Stitz 2 pt. (Neely), 6: 24; 7. Blast, Thomas 2 pt. (Cabral), 9: 30; 8. Florida, Guimmarra 2 pt. (DosSantos), 14: 49. Penalties--None.

Shots on goal--Blast 10-7-6-730. Florida 11-6-7-1034. Goalies--Blast, Hilerman 6-4-6-5 (24 shots-21 saves). Florida, Oclao 7-4-2-3 (20 shots, 16 saves). Sechrist 0-0-0-0 (0 shots, 0 saves). A--1,023.

Pub Date: 3/14/99