The Baltimore Blast defeated the Soles de Sonora 7-4 Sunday in Game 1 of the MASL Championship.
Sonora struck first with League MVP Franck Tayou's 13th postseason goal. Blast rookie Andrew Hoxie answered with his first goal of the postseason assisted by Tony Donatelli, tying the game, 1-1.
A power play would give Baltimore the lead. With seconds remaining in the first quarter, Lucas Roque found the back of the net for his fifth playoff goal. The goal was assisted by Donateli. The Blast ended the first up 2-1.
In the second quarter, Sonora's Gustavo Rosales scored on after a Blast penalty gave them a power play.
Kaoru Forbess would give the lead back to the Blast. He scored his first goal of the postseason off a pass from Adriano Dos Santos. Jonatas Melo extended the lead with his second goal of the postseason, assisted by Jeremy Ortiz.
With just 17 seconds remaining in the second half, Luis Cadres scored for the Soles, cutting the Blast lead to 4-3 at the half.
Baltimore came out hot in the third quarter. Melo recorded his second goal of the game, also assisted by Ortiz. Levi Houapeu beat the keeper for his third postseason goal, assisted by Sofiane Tergou.
The Blast defense held Sonora scoreless in the third. They continued to dominate possession in the fourth quarter. Tergou found the back of net to seal the victory of the Blast.
Sonora scored just one goal in the second half. The Blast recorded 8 blocks, including two each from Pat Healey, Forbess, and Ortiz. Goalkeeper William Vanzela recorded 13 saves in the victory.
The Blast travel to Sonora, Mexico for the final championship game Friday, April 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 p.m. EST.
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Final: Blast 7 @SolesdeSonora 4. The Blast will travel to Sonora on Friday one win away from the MASL Championship!
— Baltimore Blast (@BaltimoreBlast) April 11, 2016
