Gurson delivers again for Rampage in overtime thriller

CEDAR RAPIDS – It seemed as if the Syracuse Silver Knights had all the answers against the Cedar Rapids Rampage.

In the end, Syracuse couldn't solve Gordy Gurson.

In a game that featured six ties, four alone in the game's final 16 minutes, Gurson's goal 36 seconds into overtime was the difference as the Rampage won their second game in two nights, 8-7, in a thriller before 2,325 fans Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'We had time to talk about it in between the (overtime) break,' Gurson said. 'We had the opportunity. Hewerton (Moreira) shot back post and I just did what I did and I finished. I did my job and it feels great to go 2-0 on the weekend.'

The win caps a whirlwind week for Gurson, the reigning Major Arena Soccer League Rookie of the Year acquired on Wednesday from the St. Louis Ambush. Gurson scored four goals in his Friday debut (a 12-4 Cedar Rapids win), then three more Saturday as Cedar Rapids (3-10) won consecutive games for the first time this season.

'I feel like I've been with these guys forever,' Gurson said. 'We jelled so well already. I feel like I'm a piece to their puzzle.'

The Rampage held two first-half leads. Midfielder Bobby Hurwitz fielded an assist from Moreira and scored the game's first goal in the opening quarter of his team debut. Hurwitz also joined the team Wednesday but did not appear in Friday's game.

Syracuse (5-6) snagged its first lead at 2-1 in the second quarter after a pair of power-play goals. The Silver Knights' lead extended to 4-2 just nine seconds into the third period on a header from Joey Tavernese, who finished with three goals.

Gurson found the net for the first time in the third quarter with a mid-air strike off an assist from Elmo Neto.

'They were finding me in the right spots and I was just doing my job, like I'm supposed to do,' Gurson said. 'Put the ball in the back of the net. That's what they brought me here to do.'

A Neto strike in the closing seconds of the third quarter tied the game at 4-4 during Cedar Rapids' first power play of the game.

From there, the action was electric. Syracuse grabbed three more leads, and each time the Rampage matched. Goals by Blake Ordell, Chile Farias and Gurson prevented Syracuse from taking a two-score lead, then Cedar Rapids appeared poised to break a 7-7 tie during a furious sequence in the closing minutes. Gurson appeared to poke a tiebreaker across the line, but the referee ruled it a save. Cedar Rapids closed regulation with another power play, but could not prevent overtime.

'As a forward, you've got to keep your head up and keep going because you're going to get another chance,' Gurson said.

That chance arrived quickly, as Moreira delivered the last of his game-high four assists across the field to Gurson for the game winner on a strike from the left of the arc.

'That one was the most important one of the game and I took care of it,' Gurson said.

Cedar Rapids has seven games remaining this season, but just one at home (Feb. 13 vs. St. Louis). With a bevy of upcoming road trips beginning Friday at the Tacoma Stars, it's clear the club will be packing a load of confidence and momentum.

'I think this weekend was huge for us,' Rampage Coach Jeff Kraft said. 'We're building some character. No matter what the odds are, we can be down but you've just got to fight all the way to the end. ... I'm just happy for the boys and our fans tonight.'

AT U.S. CELLULAR CENTER

Syracuse 0 3 2 2 0—7

Cedar Rapids 1 1 2 3 1—8

First quarter —

Scoring: 1. Cedar Rapids: B. Hurwitz (H. Moreira), 8:27.

Second quarter —

Scoring: 2. Syracuse: A. Manfut (power play) (K. Forbes), 4:32; 3. Cedar Rapids: A. Robbins (H. Moreira), 8:45; 4. Syracuse: D. Toby (power play) (unassisted) 12:09; 5. Syracuse: J. Tavernese (B. Jelovac), 13:48.

Third quarter —

Scoring: 6. Syracuse: A. Manfut (B. Jelovac), 0:08; 7. Cedar Rapids: G. Gurson (E. Neto), 10:19; 8. Cedar Rapids: E. Neto (power play) (C. Farias), 14:28; 9. Syracuse: J. Tavernese (J. Schindler), 14:36..

Fourth quarter —

Scoring: 10. Cedar Rapids: B. Ordell (C. Farias), 3:54; 11. Syracuse: G. Losee (B. Jelovac), 4:53; 12. Cedar Rapids: C. Farias (H. Moreira), 5:08; 13. Syracuse: J. Tavernese (N. Bourdeau), 5:46; 14. Cedar Rapids: G. Gurson (C. Farias), 9:22.

Overtime —

Scoring: 15. Cedar Rapids: G. Gurson (power play) (H. Moreira), 0:33.

Powerplay opportunities —

Syracuse 2 of 2; Cedar Rapids 2 of 2.

Goalies —

Syracuse: B. O'Quinn 28-20; Cedar Rapids: J. Kapinos 32-25. Shots on goal — Syracuse: 32; Cedar Rapids: 28.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com