Bascome’s Blast Revival in Clinical Win over Strykers
IslandStats.com
Baltimore Blast snapped a frustrating run of form, delivering a dominant second-half performance to brush aside the Empire Strykers 8-2 at the SECU Arena. The victory provides a vital spark for David Bascome’s side, moving the Blast onto 17 points as they balance their record at five wins and five defeats in the Major Arena Soccer League.
The contest began as a cagey affair, with the visitors initially threatening to spoil the home crowd's afternoon. Although Eber Ospina opened the scoring for Baltimore early in the first period, the Strykers responded with back-to-back goals from Brian Orozco and Alan Perez to seize a 2-1 lead heading into the first break.
However, the momentum shifted decisively in the second period as the Blast's offensive depth began to tell. Chad Poarch turned the game on its head with a quickfire double, first leveling the match in the seventh minute before finding the net again to restore the lead. When Oumar Sylla added a fourth just before half-time, the Strykers appeared visibly rattled by the hosts' clinical transition play.
The second half belonged entirely to Baltimore. Sylla continued his fine individual display by grabbing his second of the match just 66 seconds into the third quarter, and Jonatas Melo followed up moments later to extend the cushion to four. The Blast’s defensive unit, anchored by disciplined tracking back, ensured the Strykers were kept at arm's length for the remainder of the afternoon.
The rout was completed in the final frame as Kevaughn Frater and Patrick Thompson capitalized on late openings to seal the six-goal victory. For Bascome, the manner of the performance will be as pleasing as the result, with the Blast demonstrating the defensive composure that had been missing in recent narrow losses.
