The St. Louis Ambush delivered a clinical performance to dismantle David Bascome’s Baltimore Blast at the SECU Arena, securing a dominant 7–3 victory that left the hosts searching for answers in a tightening Major Arena Soccer League standings.
The Ambush set the tone early, silencing the home crowd just over two minutes into the first quarter when Riley Urie found the back of the net. While the first period remained a tight defensive struggle, the floodgates opened in a frantic second quarter that ultimately defined the contest.
St. Louis doubled their lead within twenty-three seconds of the restart through William Eskay, but the Blast appeared to have found a route back into the game when Kevaughn Frater struck just two minutes later. However, the momentum was short-lived. Randy Martinez and Jeff Michaud both capitalised on defensive lapses to give the Ambush a commanding 4–1 lead at the halftime interval, leaving Bascome with much to ponder in the locker room.
The Baltimore side showed signs of life early in the third quarter as Jonatas Melo reduced the deficit, but the Ambush response was swift and ruthless. James Thomas restored the three-goal cushion midway through the period before Ozzy Santana added a sixth with just a second remaining on the clock, a crushing blow to any hopes of a Baltimore comeback.
Despite a late consolation goal from Jake Schindler in the final period, the result was never in doubt. Randy Martinez added his second of the night in the closing stages to complete the rout. For Bascome, a finalist for the MASL Coach of the Year, the defeat is a significant setback following recent positive momentum. The Blast will need to rediscover their defensive solidity quickly if they are to maintain their push for the post-season, while the Ambush will head back to Missouri bolstered by one of their most complete performances of the campaign.
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