Marques’ OT Winner Caps Wild Comeback as Comets Stun Utica City, 8–7
- Jonathan Turner
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
UTICA, NY (December 7, 2025) — Less than 24 hours after an eight-goal defeat, the Kansas City Comets responded with heart, grit, and an unforgettable finish — knocking off Utica City FC 8–7 in overtime on Sunday at Adirondack Bank Center.
Rian Marques delivered the knockout blow 24 seconds into extra time, completing his hat trick while the Comets were short-handed. Goalkeeper Phillip Ejimadu sparked the moment with a long toss over the top, finding Marques as he came off the bench and smashed home the winner — Ejimadu’s second assist of the season.
The comeback marked a massive response after a sluggish start. Kansas City went scoreless in the opening quarter and trailed 3–0 early in the second before Zach Reget’s deflected pass found the net to pull the Comets back into the match. Henry Ramirez tightened the gap to 3–2 before halftime, burying a rebound after Stefan Mijatovic rang the post.
The back-and-forth continued all afternoon. Each time KC threatened, Utica found a way to counter. UCFC extended its lead to 4–2 in the third, but Jacob Garza’s long run and clinical finish brought it back to a one-goal game entering the fourth.
Utica again extended the margin early in the final frame, but Dominic Francis answered on a powerful restart strike. After UCFC went up 6–4, the Comets inserted Lesia Thetsane as the sixth attacker — and the floodgates opened.
Marques scored with 2:12 remaining to make it 6–5, and after Utica immediately restored a two-goal cushion, he struck again on a rebound to make it 7–6. With 1:08 left, Francis’ cross deflected into the net for the equalizer, sending the match into overtime.
Despite going a man down from a late Ramirez penalty, Kansas City struck first — and last — securing the team’s second road win and improving to 3–1-0 on the season.
Marques’ hat trick moved him atop the MASL scoring chart with five goals, tying teammate Zach Reget for the league lead in points (7).
The Comets return home on Friday, Dec. 12 for a rivalry showdown with the Milwaukee Wave. Tickets are available now at kccomets.com/tickets.
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