Comets Clinch Playoff Birth in Loss

From the Comets

The Missouri Comets fell to the Baltimore Blast 18-4 at the Independence Events Center today. The rematch of last season’s championship series was not the thriller many expected. The Comets were missing captain and playmaker Vahid Assadpour with a knee injury and never got in a rhythm on the night. Mike Lookingland led the Blast with a hat trick and seven points for the night while Bryan Perez and Alex Megson scored the Comets’ only two goals. Despite the loss, the Comets still clinched their spot in the 2014 MISL Postseason by virtue of a Rochester Lancers loss earlier in the day.

The first quarter started out slow for both teams. It took a penalty to score the first goal of the game. After Lucas Rodriguez stepped onto the field a little early on a Comets substitution, the Blast were awarded a two minute penalty. Lucio Gonzaga took a shot from outside the three-point arc that ricocheted into the net off a Comets defender.

Baltimore’s Mike Lookingland scored his first goal of the night shortly after the second quarter began. Then Max Ferdinand added another power play goal to the Blast’s tally, giving them a 7-0 lead at the break.

Halftime was dedicated to the men and women who have served our country in the military. U.S. Army Reserve Captain Stephanie Ramos helped swear in new members of the Army after singing a beautiful rendition of God Bless America.

The action started back up on the field with an early goal after Bryan Perez converted on a Comets power play to get Missouri on the board. Lookingland answered with two unassisted goals for Baltimore, one of them on a penalty kick. One more goal from Marco Mangione rounded out the goals in the third quarter.

The Comets’ Alex Megson got the Comets within ten early in the final frame. His goal from Rodriguez cut the score to 14-4. However, Baltimore’s Lucas Roque and Diego Zuniga took credit for the last two goals of the game and the final 18-4 score.