Kansas City Comets respond to frustrating defeat with impressive comeback win

The Kansas City Comets endured a humbling night in Baltimore on Saturday, Dec. 6, then authored one of their most dramatic responses less than 24 hours later.

Kansas City was routed 11-3 by the Baltimore Blast at TU Arena, a venue where the Comets remain winless in franchise history. Lapses on both sides of the ball and a relentless Baltimore attack combined to produce a nine-goal margin at its widest point.

Baltimore struck twice in the opening quarter, and the Comets fell further behind when they conceded a short-handed goal early in the second quarter. Kansas City found some relief later in the frame when Lesia Thetsane cut into the deficit, but Baltimore answered with four unanswered goals to seize a commanding 7-1 lead early in the third quarter.

Kansas City managed two more goals on restarts in the second half, but the outcome was long settled as Baltimore continued to capitalize on mistakes.

Less than 24 hours after the Baltimore defeat, the Comets staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Utica City FC 8-7 in overtime at Adirondack Bank Center in Upstate New York.

“We were hurt,” Comets defender Nacho Flores said after defeating Utica City FC. “We were hungry to prove ourselves and prove to everybody that we’re here for important things.”

Trailing 3-0 early and later facing multiple two-goal deficits, the Comets refused to fade, repeatedly answering Utica goals before leveling the match in the final 90 seconds of regulation.

Rian Marques spearheaded the rally, scoring three times in the final three minutes, including the game-winner just 24 seconds into overtime while the Comets were shorthanded.

The decisive moment came in transition following a stop by goalkeeper Phillip Ejimadu, whose long distribution found Marques exiting the bench for the golden-goal finish off his right foot.

The victory moved the Comets to a 3-1 record and provided an emphatic response to Saturday’s performance.

“It’s a long season, so this doesn’t really determine anything yet,” Flores said. “We know Utica is a good team, we know there are eight teams in the league capable of winning it, so it’s very competitive and we respect every single team. We also believe in ourselves a lot that we can do it this year.”

The Comets return home Friday, Dec. 12, for a rivalry matchup against the Milwaukee Wave, who eliminated the Comets in last year’s Ron Newman Cup quarterfinals. Tickets for the matchup are available at kccomets.com/tickets.