Baltimore drops second-straight game to start season

TOWSON, Md. (December 9, 2023) – A hat trick for Tony Donatelli and a three-goal fourth quarter for the Baltimore Blast was not enough to overcome the high-scoring offense for Utica City FC.

Utica City defeated the Baltimore on Saturday night at TU Arena, 10-6. Baltimore fell to 0-2 with the loss, while rival Utica City FC picked up its second win of the season.

Baltimore struggled to find momentum early on, with Utica City jumping out to an early 4-0 lead before the Blast called a timeout. Baltimore’s first goal of the game came on a shot by Juan Pereira that Josh Hughes headed in. 

The game was scoreless for the next 10 minutes until Moises Gonzalez found Tony Donatelli for a score off a free kick in the quarter’s final minute. Utica City led 4-2 at the end of the first quarter and added a goal early in the second quarter to extend the FC lead to 5-2.

There was no more scoring in the second quarter despite good chances for both sides, and FC took a 5-2 lead into halftime. Baltimore took 19 shots to Utica City’s 10, but FC was better at converting on the chances it had.

Utica City was led by Mohamed Ndiaye’s two assists and Ronaldinho Diniz’s goal and assist. For Baltimore, four different players recorded a point in the half.

Utica City picked up the second half's first goal on a missed coverage after Ndiaye found Gordy Gurson open next to the goal on a free kick. It was Ndiaye’s third assist and Gurson’s second goal, which gave FC a 6-2 lead.

The third quarter was a bit chippy, with multiple infractions and fouls. Utica City scored after a tripping foul. Nilton de Andrade scored on a free kick. A few minutes later, FC goalkeeper Andrew Coughlin was given a five-minute major for striking Donatelli on a ball sent to the box through the air. Donatelli scored on a penalty kick that cut the Blast deficit to four goals, 7-3.

FC picked up another goal on a cross-box pass that Franck Tayou tipped into the net. Utica City extended its lead to 8-3 before adding another one shortly after. Taylor Walter Bond picked up his second goal of the night on an assist from Keaton Woods. FC held a 9-3 lead after the third quarter.

Baltimore put together a rally in the fourth quarter, with Donatelli picking up a hat trick, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Utica City. Baltimore fell 10-6