Orlando SeaWolves downed by Florida Tropics in local derby
Orlando SeaWolves carried on from where they left Friday night’s game against Milwaukee Wave with a disastrous first quarter showing on Saturday evening.
Inside the first two minutes Ricardo Diegues had scored twice for the Florida Tropics and further goals from Matt Clare and Enzo Maragoni ensured the visitors made the perfect start to the evening as they went in search of their first away victory of the season.
Goals from Derek Huffman (pictured above) and Richard Schmermund cut the deficit back to 4-2 to restore some hope for the home fans but it was short lived as Antonio Manfut headed home to make it 5-2 to the visitors just 30 seconds after the second Orlando goal. Four minutes later Manfut repeated the trick to make it 6-2 as he delivered a lovely right foot strike that went in off the far post.
Half Time: Orlando SeaWolves 2 Florida Tropics 6
The third quarter saw Orlando pushing for a comeback and a momentum swing. Goals from Gordy Gurson, Jonathan Mendoza and Elmo Neto within a three-minute span made the game 6-5 and the Tropics started to waver going into the final quarter. Sadly it was not to be as the home side then gave away all the good work they had done with two moments of indiscipline that cost them dearly. 90 seconds into the period Marion Alvarez saw the blue card for retaliation and just seconds later Neto also received a blue to make it a 6 on 4 game.
The Tropics saw the opportunity to seal the game and less than 30 seconds later into the power play period they made it 7-5 as Maycon Franca slotted home to make it 7-5 on the night.
Full Time: Orlando SeaWolves 5 Florida Tropics 7
The SeaWolves will play on the road next week, with games in Kansas City and Milwaukee on back-to-back nights. The first game against the Comets is set for Friday, March 8th at 8:35 pm EST, then the Wave on Saturday, March 9th at 2:05 pm EST.
Florida will host Kansas City twice later this month at the RP Funding Center – March 17 and 30 – and will also meet Orlando twice more at Silver Spurs Arena, including the regular season finale on April 13.
Before welcoming the Comets, the Tropics will host another division foe, the St. Louis Ambush, on Sunday (March 10) who currently sit third in the division at 8-10. Kickoff is at 3:05 p.m.
More photos at : FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
