UTICA CITY DROPS OVERTIME HEARTBREAKER TO BALTIMORE

Utica, N.Y. – Utica City fought back from three one-goal deficits but fell 5-4 in overtime to the Baltimore Blast Sunday afternoon at the Adirondack Bank Center. Moises Gonzalez scored twice, while Ricardo Diegues and Cristhian Segura chipped in with a goal apiece. Andrew Coughlin made four saves on nine shots in the loss.

Jonatas Melo started the scoring 1:17 into the first quarter. Not much offense was generated after the goal, with the teams combining for only five shots as Baltimore took their 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Diegues leveled the game at one 4:52 into the second quarter after Jake Schindler’s board pass found him open in front for a left-footed finish. Juan Pereira regained for the visitors five and a half minutes later.

Utica came out more aggressive in the third quarter and earned their chances, including hitting the post and crossbar, but were unable to find the back of the net. Segura evened the game at two when he took a pass from Nate Bourdeau on a fast break and buried it to the upper corner with 2:19 to go in the third quarter. Andrew Hoxie put Baltimore back on top with 3.5 seconds left in the third. 

Gonzalez tied the game at three when Bo Jelovac found him in the box for a cheeky touch that found its way past the keeper just 2:20 into the final quarter. Tony Donatelli gave the Blast a 4-3 lead with 4:17 remaining in regulation. Gonzalez tied the game a four with two minutes to play when he deposited a rebound off a Diegues shot. Neither team could find the net in the final two minutes and the game would head to overtime.

Hoxie scored the overtime winner 1:11 into overtime after turnover in front of the Utica net.

Utica returns to action on Sunday, January 12 when they host the Harrisburg Heat. Kickoff is at 2pm. Tickets are still available at the Box Office, over the phone by calling (315) 790-9070, or online at www.empirestatetix.com. The game can be viewed on MASL.tv.

Scoring Summary

For the latest Utica City FC news visit www.uticacityfc.com or follow the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/uticacityfc), Twitter (@UticaCityFC), Instagram (@UticaCityFC), and the Utica City FC YouTube Channel.