Lancers end two-game road weekend with loss at UCFC

February 9, 2020

UTICA, N.Y. (February 9, 2000) – The Rochester Lancers made it interesting in the third quarter, but Utica City FC recorded six straight goals to pull away to a 11-3 win in Major Arena Soccer League action at the Adirondack Bank Center on Sunday afternoon.

Bo Jelovac scored three goals and assisted on a fourth to lead Utica City (9-3) to its third victory in a row.

Diego Mayanga, Rafa Godoi and David Wright recorded goals for Rochester (0-15), which dropped a 14-5 decision at the Baltimore Blast on Saturday night.

The game got off to a rousing start as former Lancer Nate Bourdeau scored only 35 seconds after the kickoff. After a pass from another former Rochester player, Darren Toby, Bourdeau powered a shot from the right side to the left-wing post to list Utica into a 1-0 lead.

Then, the rest of the period turned into a goalkeepers' duel. Utica City's Matt Perrella made two big saves, first on a counterattack by Dan Reger and then Michael Cunningham's bullet of a shot. Rochester's Marcelo Moreira denied Liam Callahan's booming shot with only 16 seconds remaining in the period.

Moreira made several spectacular saves in the second quarter, but Utica City connected for four consecutive goals. Former Lancer Uros Momic doubled the hosts' lead with a score from the right flank at 2:13. Onua Obasi made it 3-0, knocking home Callahan's long, looping midfield pass into the net at 6:05. Jelovac closed out the first-half scoring with a power-play goal at 7:43 and another tally at 9:14 for a 5-0 advantage.

The Lancers, however, refused to wilt, pulling within 5-3 on three successive goals in the third period. After Perrella was assessed a blue card for fouling August Finn in the left-wing corner, Rochester was awarded a penalty kick. Mayanga converted to the left side for his fourth goal of the season two minutes into the quarter. Just 19 seconds later, Godoi celebrated a goal of his own, scoring off a counterattack at 2:19. The Lancers crept within two goals as Wright tallied his first MASL goal, off another counterattack at 4:25.

Those goals woke up the hosts. Cristhian Segura restored the three-goal lead at 7:06. Jelovac got his hat-trick at 10:38 and former Lancer Mauricio Salles made it 8-3 at 12:33. Utica scored the final two goals in fourth quarter behind Callahan (1:15), Moises Gonzalez (3:17) and Tim Goldman (.4 seconds remaining).

Moreira was forced out of the match with a leg injury when Callahan tripped him for a blue-card penalty at 8:40. Christian Esposito replaced him in goal.

The Lancers will remain the road next week as they play at the Florida Tropics in Lakeland, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 15. Fans can watch the game at MASL.TV.

They return home to the Dome Arena in Henrietta, N.Y. for the weekend of Feb. 21-22. They will host Utica City FC on Friday, Feb. 21 and the Blast on Saturday, Feb. 22. Both contests begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at RLancers.com or at the Dome Arena box office on game day.

MASL Match Report
Match: Utica City FC vs. Rochester Lancers
Date: February 9, 2020
Venue: Adirondack Bank Center

Kickoff: 2:07 ET
Attendance: 3,727
 

Scoring Summary

ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE
The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.