January 26, 2020

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (January 26, 2020) -- The Rochester Lancers completed a tough weekend in the Midwest, dropping a 12-4 Major Arena Soccer League decision to the Kansas City Comets at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena on Sunday night.

Player-coach Leo Gibson led Kansas City (6-6) with six goals, including five in the opening half, while assisting on a seventh.

Diego Mayanga recorded a goal and an assist for the Lancers (0-11), who lost at the defending champions Milwaukee Wave, 15-3, on Saturday night. Gary Boughton, Jeremy Ortiz and Rafa Godoi added goals and Frankie Ciliberto contributed a pair of assists.

For the second time in as many days, Rochester drew first blood. Comets goalkeeper Nicolau Neto was called for a two-footed tackle on Ciliberto and was awarded a a blue card. Neto denied Ortiz on the ensuing shootout, but the visitors scored on the ensuing power play at 1:55 as Boughton tallied off a rebound on the left side.

Kansas City struck twice within 14 seconds to take a 2-1 lead with twice Gibson goals. The veteran striker beat goalkeeper Marcelo Moreira on the left side at 3:48. After Rochester's Tim Crawford was penalized for tripping, Gibson converted a shootout goal.

The Lancers, however, equalized behind Mayanga's second goal in as many matches as he drilled a shot off the right post at 10:44. The Comets scored two more quick goals behind Ignacio Flores, off a John Sosa free kick at 12:04, and Gibson, who put in a Matt Lewis interception at 12:50, for a 4-2 lead.

Gibson continued his personal showcase in the second period, scoring after a blocked shot at 9:13 and a power-play goal that deflected off a Rochester defender at 14:11.

Both second-half periods were defined by early goals.

Some 18 seconds into the third quarter, Kevin Ellis took advantage of a giveway. Ortiz put home a Mayanga feed at 5:02 before Gibson struck yet again at 8:41.

Only 12 seconds into the fourth quarter, Godoi scored. Ray Saari (twice) and Robert Palmer and Mirko Sandivari found the net for the hosts in the period.

The Lancers return home for two contests next weekend. They will host the Baltimore Blast as they will induct the first 20 members into their indoor Wall of Fame at halftime at the Dome Arena in Henrietta, N.Y. on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. They will welcome the St. Louis Ambush on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be bought at RLancers.com or at the Dome Arena box office on game day.