Fredericksburg take top spot after 2 weeks of play

An early season clash of unbeatens took place at Fredericksburg Field House last Saturday when the Fredericksburg Fire FC hosted Philadelphia Spartans in the lone game of Week 2. Both sides had opened the new MASL 3 season with narrow victories and this game proved to be no different. In the end the host side came out on top by the score of 9-7.

Fredericksburg Fire (2-0-0) take the top spot in #MASL3 with a victory over the Philadelphia Spartans (1-1-0) pic.twitter.com/jWPE2d892o

— MASL 3 (@MASL3com) January 15, 2023

Watch the full game here https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1707628116 

Fire FC led from start to finish with emerging star Lucas Mendes scoring the first three goals for Fredericksburg. Keith Witherell made it 4-1 after the midway point of the opening quarter before a set play set up by Mendes and finished by Liam Emson gave the host a 5-1 advantage.

Philly would fight back in the second though, scoring twice before Mendes struck again making it 6-3. That's how the score read at halftime.

The Spartans would score the first pair of goals of the second half to get within a goal, but it would not last as Sammy Meija and Mendes answered making the score 8-5. Philadelphia would score once more before the end of the quarter to get in striking distance again.

Kevin Zhu made it 9-6 Fire early in the fourth and their defense did the rest. Philly would pull their goaltender and add a goal with 3:51 remaining, but it would not be enough.

Mendes led all scorers with five goals and two assists. Witherell chipped in with a goal and assist while Mark Trznadel earned the victory in net.

MASL 3 teams are off until January 28 when Fredericksburg Fire (2-0-0) host the Baltimore Kings (0-1-0). Full league schedule can be found here.