When it comes to the Blast's long-standing rivalry with the Milwaukee Wave, nothing comes easy.
So when the Blast scored two quick goals before the 1st Mariner Arena crowd had a chance to settle in Friday night, the home team was well aware that there would be more hard work ahead.
With goals from six players and a flawless defensive performance in the second half, the Blast earned a dominating 14-6 win over the Wave in front of an announced 6,329.
With the Blast's win, its second in three games against the Wave this month, the teams share first place in the Major Indoor Soccer League with 7-3 marks.
The Blast — quicker to the ball, more responsible on defense and more poised on offense throughout — were the better team Friday night by a decisive measure.
Playing without a good chunk of its offense — including Adauto Neto (knee), Machel Millwood (hamstring) and Lucio Gonzaga (suspension) — Blast coach Danny Kelly was pleased with the team's performance at both ends.
"Unbelievable," Kelly said. "To come in shorthanded … a MASH unit with some guys banged up — it was a great effort. You have to give credit to the guys in the locker room — they found a way to win."
After its 5-0 lead slipped away midway through the second quarter — Josh Rife providing the visitors a 6-5 advantage — the Blast took the lead back for good later in the first half and took charge in the third quarter.
Warren Ukah scored the second-quarter goal to regain the lead, and Worteh Sampson and Pat Morris scored unanswered third-quarter goals to push the Blast to an 11-6 lead that would not be threatened in an uneventful fourth quarter. The Blast blanked the Wave for the final 39 minutes, 45 seconds of play.
"We had good, solid defending — a lot of blocked shots," said Blast goalkeeper Sagu, who finished with 14 saves in returning from a groin injury. "We know we have to work together, and we got a good result."
A careless play by the Wave followed by a nifty one-two combination by the home team staked the Blast to a 5-0 advantage three minutes into play.
Just 21 seconds in, Blast captain Robbie Aristodemo collected a Wave giveaway near midfield and alertly converted a 3-point goal with goalie Nick Vorberg caught off his goal line. Carlos Garcia made it 5-0 a couple minutes later, working a give-and-go in tight quarters with Max Ferdinand before finishing from the right corner.
The Wave was able to regroup, getting a two-point goal from Hewerton Moreira midway through the first quarter and second-quarter goals from Tom Oatley and Rife to take a brief 6-5 lead before the Blast got an answer from Ukah to take a 7-6 lead at the half.
The Blast travels to Missouri to take on the Comets on Saturday night.
Milwaukee 2 4 0 0 — 6
Blast 5 2 4 3 — 14
FIRST QUARTER
Scoring: 1. Blast, Aristodemo, 3 pt., :21; 2. Blast, Garcia, 2 pt., (Ferdinand), 2:57; 3. Milwaukee, Moreira, 2 pt., 7:14.
Penalties: None.
SECOND QUARTER
Scoring: 4. Milwaukee, Oatley, 2 pt., (Terminesi), 3:38; 5. Milwaukee, Rife, 2 pt., (Terminesi), 5:15; 6. Blast, Ukah, 2 pt., (Morris), 5:54;
Penalties: Blast, Wilkes, (kicking), 6:21; Blast, bench, (dissent, five-minute misconduct) .
THIRD QUARTER
Scoring: 7. Blast, 2 pt., Sampson, 1:43; 8. Blast, Morris, 2 pt., (Ferdinand), 7:50.
Penalties: None.
FOURTH QUARTER
Scoring: 9. Blast, Lookingland, 3 pt., 12:28.
Penalties: None.
Shots on goal: Milwaukee 5-13-7-7 — 32; Blast 7-6-9-3 — 25.
Power-play opportunities: Milwaukee 0-for-1; Blast 0-for-0.
Saves: Milwaukee, Vorberg 5-2-5-2 — 14, Greenfield; Blast, Sagu 3-4-5-2 — 14.
A — 6,329.