Crunch win home opener, Kings pour in 19 goals, Runners shock Wings to highlight week six
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Cleveland Crunch opened their home season in winning fashion, the Omaha Kings set a team record with 19 goals in one game, and the New Mexico Runners shocked the Wichita Wings to highlight Week Six Major Arena Soccer League 2 action.
The defending champion Crunch opened to a standing only crowd, and took a 10-5 win over the Muskegon Risers to improve to 2-0 on the season. Mike Derezic had five goals in the first half to lead the Crunch to a 7-1 halftime lead. He added a sixth in the second half, while the Risers (2-3) got two goals each from Adam Knight and Miguel Flores.
In perhaps the most surprising result of the weekend, the New Mexico Runners got their first win in six starts, going on the road to defeat the previously unbeaten Wichita Wings (4-1). The teams were tied at 2-2 at the half, before the Runners and Wings combined for eight third quarter goals, giving New Mexico a 7-5 lead going into the final quarter. The shorthanded Wings -- who had several players out with Covid-19 concerns -- got one back from Fabio Schneider early in the fourth, but that was it for the scoring. Frolian Ramierez had the hat trick to lead New Mexico, while Kieran Laking and Kevin Ten Eyck each had a goal and assist for the Wings.
The Omaha Kings (4-1) warmed things up on a cold midwestern night by rolling past the Colorado Inferno, 19-6, setting a Kings record for most goals in a game. It was also the highwater mark for goals this season in M2 play. Leonides Mejia had a four goal night, while Murilo Ceruli had two goals and three assists. Say Say also chipped in with a hat trick. Francisco Rivas had a three-goal game for Colorado 0-3).
San Diego fell from the ranks of the unbeaten as the Ontario Fury 2 defeated the Sockers 2 by a final of 7-4, building a 7-2 fourth quarter lead before the Sockers rally fell short. Abdul Mansaray and Mo Gueye each had two goals for Ontario (2-2), while Rene Flores had two goals and two assists for the Sockers (3-1).
The RGV Barracudas were the last M2 team to make their 2021-22 debut, and it was a big success with a pair of wins over Amarillo, by scores of 13-4 on Saturday and 10-8 on Sunday.
One weekend game was postponed due to Covid-19 issues. The game in Turlock between the Express and Sockers will be rescheduled for a later date, according to league officials.