November 29, 2019
Utica City FC defeats Rochester, spoils the Lancers’ return to MASL
HENRIETTA, N.Y. -- Utica City FC spoiled the Rochester Lancers' return to the Major Arena Soccer League by recording a 9-1 victory at the Dome Arena on Friday night.
Moises Gonzalez paced Utica City FC (2-1) with a four goals and former Lancer Uros Momic added two goals.
Matt D'Amico tallied for Rochester, who finished third in M2 last season. He was voted the third star of the match.
The visitors did not any waste time establishing themselves in the opening quarter as they struck twice within a 30-second span. Gonzalez, named the No. 1 star of the game, smashed a shot off the left post and into the net to lift Utica into a 1-0 lead 1:59 into the match. Momic doubled the margin by slotting home a rebound past goalkeeper Christian Esposito at 2:29.
D'Amico, a standout at Pittsford Mendon High School and at SUNY Geneseo, had the honor of scoring the Lancers' first MASL goal since the 2014-15 season. He redirected a Gary Boughton free kick from the left side past goalkeeper Andrew Coughlin from close range to slice the lead to 2-1 with 27.2 seconds remaining in the period.
Much like the first quarter, Utica City scored two quick goals, this time within a 49-second span to extend its lead.
Gonzalez headed home a long pass from Cristhian Segura from midfield at 7:58. Segura, who was named MASL player of the week, got himself into the scoring column by putting in a rebound at 8:47. Utica City FC added another goal with 2:57 left in the period as he connected from close range for a 5-1 halftime advantage.
Utica City again tallied two quick goals to extend its lead in the third. Gonzalez showed his range of goal-scoring as he drilled a shot from distance off a Domenico Vitale assist at 11:53. Some 33 seconds later, he put home a Segura free kick from the left side. With 46.9 seconds left, Ricardo De Queiroz Diegues scored to close out the quarter with an 8-1 lead.
Bo Jelovac closed out the scoring for the visitors, converting a counterattack from close range at 10:42 of the final period.
Coughlin was selected as the second star of the game.
The Lancers' opening weekend is only halfway complete as they welcome the Harrisburg Heat to the Dome Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at RLancers.com.
The game can seen on MASL.tv.
MASL Match Report
Match: Rochester Lancers vs. Utica City FC
Date: November 29, 2019
Venue: Dome Arena, Henrietta, N.Y.
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Scoring Summary
Goals 1 2 3 4 F
Rochester 0 0 0 1 1
Utica 2 3 3 1 9
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.