No matter how trying the circumstance, the Blast never wavered in the Major Arena Soccer League playoffs.

The team's final bit of resolve was on display in Hermosillo, Mexico, early Saturday morning when it defeated Soles de Sonora at its own game.

Known for its defense, the Blast had to adjust to the Suns' tiny field, their powerful offense and the announced 8,000 fans at El Centro de Usos Multiples — doing just that when Tony Donatelli scored a power-play goal 14 seconds into overtime of the second and deciding game of the MASL championship series: Blast 14, Sonora 13.

After going 15-4 during the regular season, the Blast went 6-0 in the postseason with two-game sweeps against the Syracuse Silver Knights, Missouri Comets and Sonora to claim Baltimore's eighth professional indoor soccer championship.

After the Suns tied the game with 1:02 to play in regulation, the Blast took quick advantage of a power play to open the overtime after star Sonora forward Franck Tayou was sent off for two minutes after receiving his fourth foul in the second half. Blast captain Pat Healey (Towson University, Calvert Hall) found Donatelli on the right side and he buried the chance for his second goal of the game.

“We had ups and downs — from new guys coming in and learning the system to veteran guys stepping up even more — it makes it all worthwhile. We battled all year and when the playoffs started, we took it to another level,” Healey said.

After opening the series with a 7-3 win in Baltimore last Sunday, the Blast had to go toe-to-toe with the Suns in an offensive slugfest that started late Friday night. Baltimore finally took its first lead in the third quarter and then, in a matter of minutes, found itself down two goals. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Blast got consecutive goals from Andrew Hoxie and Donatelli for its first two-goal advantage at 11-9, only to see the Suns battle back again.

Lucas Roque gave the Blast a 13-12 lead with 2:19 to play. But Sonora was again able to answer with Damian Garcia hammering home a shot to tie the game with 1:02 to play in regulation.

Last year, the Blast fell to now-defunct Monterrey in sudden death overtime of the deciding minigame in the championship round. That trip to Mexico is now a distant memory.

“What a game!” Healey said. “[After last year's game], I thought a game couldn't go any crazier — up and down — and here we are, the wildest game. Thank God we came out on top.”

glenn.graham@baltsun.com

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