December 28, 2013 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Missouri Comets INDEPENDENCE, MO - After a very physical, penalty-filled game, the Missouri Comets end up with only their second loss of the season. The Syracuse Silver Knights scored the game winning goal on a shootout after a controversial call late in the fourth quarter. A crowd of 4,122 fans watched Missouri's Leo Gibson and Vahid Assadpour net hat tricks, but it wasn't enough as Kenardo Forbes had two three-point goals to lead the Silver Knights to the 18-15 win.

The first quarter featured more penalty minutes for the Comets than shots on goal. Brian Harris, Vahid Assadpour, Robert Palmer and Ramone Palmer each saw the inside of the penalty box. Syracuse took full advantage, scoring three goals on the man-advantage and taking a 7-2 lead into the first break. Leo Gibson's goal six minutes into the game was the only score for Missouri in the quarter.

The second quarter saw a complete reversal. Gibson completed his hat trick with two goals and Assadpour scored his first two goals in the period. The Comets were able to stay out of the penalty box, with the exception of a delay of game penalty to Coady Andrews, and led at halftime 12-11

After a lively halftime exhibition from local media personalities set the mood for an exciting end to the match. The Comets jumped out to a two goal lead after Assadpour completed his hat trick two minutes into the third period. Syracuse crawled back into the lead on the strength of Forbes' second three-point goal of the night. Byron Alvarez regained the advantage for the Comets in the fourth quarter, but a series of controversial calls gave the Silver Knights the advantage they had waited for.

Ten minutes into the final frame, The Comets' John Sosa and Syracuse's Neto were tangled up outside the Comets defensive arc. As both players tugged each other to the floor, referee Ron Cory awarded a Power Play to Syracuse by sending John Sosa to penalty box for holding. Goalkeeper Danny Waltman made the save on the ensuing shooutout attempt, but again the referees blew a whistle, this time declaring a hand ball foul on Danny Waltman. Nelson Santana converted the second shootout attempt and Forbes added a goal against the sixth attacker in the final minutes to complete the Syracuse win, 18-15.

The Comets hit the road for games on January 1st at the Rochester Lancers at 2:00p.m. CT and January 3rd against the Baltimore Blast at 6:35p.m. CT. The team will return home for their fourth game in eight days against the Rochester Lancers on Sunday January 5th at 7:35p.m.

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Comets Lose in Final Minutes