Major Arena Soccer League 3
Third division of the MASL indoor soccer pyramid
Semifinals today: New champion coming as OKC wins, RGV knocks off NOVA
FRUITLAND, Maryland -- For the first time in its four-year history, Major Arena Soccer League 3 will have a new champion.
The three-time defending champions, Northern Virginia FC (No. 4 seed), gave up a late goal in the first half which was a springboard for the RGV Barracudas (No. 5 seed) to take a 10-7 decision, advancing to today's semifinal round against the No. 2 seeded Kalamazoo United at 12 noon
In the other quarterfinal, the OKC Certified Lions (No. 6 seed) defeated Valhalla FC (No. 3 seed) 11-6 to set up a noon start today in the semis against the undefeated and No. 1 seeded Roc City Boom. All games are being shown live on the Delmarva Sports Network, which is also streamed online. Sunday's championship game will kick off at 12 noon as well.
In a back-and -forth first half, NOVA held a lead of 5-4 in the dwindling minutes of the second quarter. However, RGV's Luis Jasso scored just 12 seconds before the break, and the Barracudas outscored the former champs by a 5-2 margin from that point -- including the only three goals of the final 15 minutes -- to move on.
Ivan Martinez scored less than two minutes into the second half to keep the momentum going for RGV. NOVA was twice able to tie the score in the final two frames, but never did regain the lead. That was part of a three-goal effort from Martinez, the only RGV player to score more than once. Marco Don Juan added a goal and two assists.
For NOVA, Bernardo Marjano and Eric Carvillo each scored twice. RGV had a healthy edge in shots, 32-15, with Abelado Reyes picking up the victory.
OKC got off to a great start, scoring the first six goals of the game, and then had to withstand a furious Valhalla rally -- their goals came in the second half -- to punch their ticket to the semi-finals.
The Lions pitched a shutout in the first two quarters, but Valhalla scored the first three goals of the third quarter, but at no point was able to trim the deficit to under three.
Ruben Torres led the way for OKC with two goals and three assists while teammate Rafael Zalvidar added two goals and two assists. Andrez Quinones also scored twice. For Cincinnati-based Valhalla, Bbuye Manisuul had a goal and two assists and Anders Michelson scored two goals. Valhalla held the edge in shots, 30-29. as OKC's Andres Fuentes got the win in goal.
