The 2009 NISL Champion Baltimore Blast will host a Championship Celebration this Thursday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind the 1st Mariner Bank Tower in Canton. Highlights: - Join the Blast players to celebrate the 2009 Championship! - Free Pepsi products will be available while supplies last. - Della Rose’s will sell $2 hot dogs, $4 burgers, $4 pit beef sandwiches and discounted beer. - 2009 Championship merchandise will be available. - Free parking will be available after 5 p.m. on the gravel lot across from the Tower Get more info at http://baltimoreblast.com/

By Krystina Lucido

Rockford isn't called Rampage for nothing. The characteristic down-and-dirty, push-shove foul play displayed in the National Indoor Soccer League Championship game, while typical of two teams vying for a title, made the Rampage look as if they were trying to send the Baltimore Blast home in a body bag.

They did not succeed. The Blast won, 13-10, to clinch their fifth championship in seven seasons and their first in the NISL in front of nearly 10,000 home fans.

The Blast captured their fifth championship in seven seasons. (Sabina Moran/PressBox)

"It was a tough game back and forth," coach Danny Kelly said. "I don't think we played as well as we wanted to in that first half. The second half we picked things up, were more solid defensively and were able to finish our chances.

"Great game by the boys in red tonight, they earned their fifth championship in seven years. After that, I don't think there is too much more to say."

The roughness of the Rampage was something the Blast expected and prepared for.

"The last game we played there, they came out and they were real aggressive," said Machel Millwood, the Blast's top scorer. "I wasn't prepared to let down and just have them take over the game by putting a stranglehold on us, and if it had to be where we were hands-on and we had to be more aggressive, then that's what it took to get the win tonight."

"They play a physical style," Kelly said. "They have three big defenders who make you play every time you get the ball and I think that was their game plan. Every time we played them this year they tried to intimidate us -- and we're not going to be intimidated by anyone."

The Blast's win can be contributed in large part to goalkeeper Sagu's outstanding performance, especially after getting knocked in the head by the opposition, which only seemed to better his performance in the second half. 

It may be a different league, but fans have been treated to the same Sagu all year. For the second consecutive season, the veteran was honored as Goalkeeper of the Year. The Blast's defense, sparked by the efforts of their 36-year-old goaltender, was best in the NISL.

Also named first-team All-NISL, Sagu gave up just 50 goals in 15 games and led the league with 11 regular season wins, a 7.48 points against average and a 79.1 save percentage.

Sagu wasn't the only Blast player to walk away with league awards. Kelly was voted the 2008-09 NISL Coach of the Year and Pat Healey, son of Blast president and general manager Kevin Healey, scored six goals en route to being named NISL Rookie of the Year.

Healey and forward Adrian Bumbut were named to the All-Rookie Team while Millwood and defender P.J. Wakefield were named to the All-NISL second team.

The Blast are known for producing award-winning superstars but, Kelly stresses, the way to win championships is through a solid team effort.

"It's been a team all year long as far as contributing and winning games both on the offense and defensive end," Kelly said. "We had some big goals [Saturday] by some guys who aren't at the top of our scoring list but that's what you need to win championships. You need everybody contributing."

Baltimore finished with a 15-4 record, winning eight games by 10 points or more, three games by 20 or more and one by 32, a club record for most points scored in a single game.

Millwood, Giuliano Celenza, Carlos Garcia, Denison Cabral and Robbie Aristodemo each finished with more than 30 points. Millwood ranked first for the Blast and fifth in the NISL in points with 48 (18 goals, 12 assists).

"One of the reasons I came here years ago," Kelly said. "Baltimore, the organization, the Blast give you an opportunity to win a championship. It's ultimately up to you and your teammates. Can you get the job done? That's why players come here."

Issue 136: April 2009