INDIANAPOLIS- The A-League leading Minnesota Thunder (7-2-0, 21 pts) were too much for the Blast Tuesday night at a cold and damp Kuntz Stadium. Despite dropping to 0-8-1 the Blast played well, creating several good scoring opportunities. Unfortunately for the Blast, only one of them resulted in a goal. Nate Jaqua, on loan from MLS' Chicago Fire, was a man among boys for the Thunder.
Semir Mesanovic and Jeffrey Samples starred for the Blast, but it wasn't enough, as the Thunder came in waves scoring three unanswered goals after the Blast jumped on top early.
The Blast exploded out of the gates, creating a scoring chance in the first minute, but Godfrey Tenoff's shot slid past the far post. Just three minutes later, the Blast got on the board. Lazo Alavanja's header found Semir Mesanovic all alone 10 yards out, and Mesanovic blasted it home.
The lead only lasted four minutes as the Thunder scored off a corner kick. Nate Jaqua was able to win the initial ball into the box, and headed it on to Alvin Hudson, who ripped a shot into the upper left corner to equalize the score at one.
After Justin McMillan dragged Nate Jaqua down in the box, Johnny Torres converted a penalty kick to give Minnesota the lead. The Thunder extended the lead in the 54th minute off a Marco Ferruzi goal.
The Blast threatened several times late in the game, but were not able to score a goal. Nate Jaqua, on loan from the Chicago Fire, was unstoppable for the Thunder.
The Blast's next home game will be Saturday June 7th against the Calgary Storm at 7:35 pm at Kuntz Stadium. It's White Castle Tailgate Party Night with FREE burgers and Sprite Remix. Gates open at 6:30, so plan to come early.
SCORE 1 2 -F
INDIANA 1 0 -1
MINNESOTA 2 1 -3
SHOTS INDIANA 10 - MINNESOTA 12
SAVES INDIANA 5 - MINNESOTA 4
FOULS INDIANA 9 - MINNESOTA 16
OFFSIDES INDIANA 2 - MINNESOTA 5
CORNER KICKS INDIANA 5 - MINNESOTA 4
SCORING
IND- Mesanovic (Alavanja) 4'
MIN- Hudson (Jaqua) 8'
MIN- Torres (Penalty) 36'
MIN- Ferruzi (Jaqua) 54'
CAUTIONS
IND- Swann (Caution) 21'
IND- McMillan (Caution) 35'
MIN- Eyre (Caution) 45'
IND- Alavanja (Caution) 71'
MIN- Torres (Caution) 78'
LINEUPS
IND- Spears, Samples, Swann, Walton, Rollo (DiGuardi 73), Tenoff, Less, McMillan (Lucas 42 (Dresser 62)), Alavanja, Beasley, Mesanovic
MIN- Warren, Shak, Eyre, Gramenz, Hudson, Anderson, Llamas, Magee (Klickan 68), Ferruzi (Daugaard 80), Torres, Jaqua (Morehead 73)
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