Kansas City Comets win fourth straight match, beating Utica City as playoffs near
The Kansas City Comets overcame a three-goal deficit to beat Utica City FC 11-6 on Sunday in front of 4,788 spirited fans at Cable Dahmer Arena.
Zach Reget, Rian Marques and Christian Anderaos keyed the critical victory — the Comets’ fourth in a row with the playoffs approaching.
To clinch a playoff spot, the Comets will need a win or overtime loss in their final two games, or for Baltimore to lose any of their final five games in regulation.
The Comets faced an uphill battle on Sunday as they trailed 4-1 after the first quarter and battled five first-half penalties. Reget ushered the Comets back to comfort with a second-quarter hat trick before adding his fourth goal of the contest in the third period.
The difference in the game was the middle two quarters. The Comets turned their three-goal deficit after the first quarter into a two-goal halftime lead. They outscored Utica City 6-1 in the second quarter and took a commanding 10-6 lead to the final frame.
The Comets were much sharper in the final three periods. They held Utica City to just two goals while reaching double-digits for the first time this season. KC scored 10 of its 11 goals in the final three quarters.
Reget’s season-high four-goal game puts his season tally at a league-leading 31 goals. Fellow target forward Marques had two goals and two assists and Anderaos was rewarded for his relentless work ethic with two goals.
The Comets fed off the crowd’s energy, especially when they trailed and weren’t getting beneficial calls. Some heated moments in the first half only added to the intensity.
“If I felt it, then the boys felt it for sure,” said Comets coach Stefan Stokic. “When things aren’t going your way, having the fans makes a huge difference.”
For the second straight season, the Comets lead the MASL in attendance by a landslide, averaging 4,772 fans per match at Cable Dahmer Arena — nearly 1,500 more than second-place Utica.
“We knew they were all-in,” Anderaos said of the home fans’ support. “They were an extra player on the field and they were really crucial for our win.”
The Comets head to St. Louis on Sunday and return home March 23 to play host to San Diego in their home finale. Tickets are available at kccomets.com/tickets.