FURY COME FROM BEHIND TO STOP STARS 7-4
Tacoma, WA. – The Tacoma Stars (4-7) had a lead heading into the final quarter Saturday night but the Ontario Fury (3-7) rallied with four unanswered goals to down the Stars 7-4 in front of 2,534 fans at the accesso ShoWare Center.
In true Tacoma vs Ontario fashion, this was a physical match and the lone goal of the opening frame was an unassisted marker from Nestor Hernandez with 6:51 to play in the quarter. The teams battled defensively during the first 15 minutes and the teams combined for only seven shots, five of which belonged to the Fury.
MASL leading goal-scorer Franck Tayou knocked in back to back goals for the visitors in the second quarter giving the Fury a 3-0 advantage with 8:20 on the clock in the first half. Mike Ramos put the Stars on the board with his 14th goal of the season on an assist from Nick Perera to make it 3-1 Fury at the half.
The tide turned for the Stars in the third quarter as they posted three consecutive goals beginning with an Alex Caceres power play goal with 7:40 left in the quarter. Raphael Cox converted on a Ramos assist to tie the score at three before Perera put the Stars in front. He beat Ontario keeper Chris Toth with 14 seconds left in the third for a 4-3 Stars lead.]
Ontario controlled the final quarter scoring four goals on only six shots while keeping Tacoma off the scoreboard during the last 15 minutes. Israel Sesay brought Ontario level at 4-4 with 10:13 left to play in the game. Fury goals from Evan McNeley and Jesus Pacheco less than two minutes apart gave Ontario some breathing room with a 6-4 lead with 2:30 remaining. An empty net goal from Juan Carlos Gonzalez gave the Fury the final goal and 7-4 win, their first road victory of the season.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st – ONT Hernandez 8:09. Penalties – none.
2nd – ONT F. Tayou (Stinson) 1:31; ONT F. Tayou (Topete) 6:37; TAC Ramos (Perera) 12:04. Penalties – none.
3rd – TAC Caceres (Keitz) 7:10 PP; TAC R. Cox (Ramos) 9:36; TAC Perera 14:46. Penalties – ONT Toth blue card (GK handball outside the box) 5:15; TAC Keitz yellow card (delay of game) 11:07.
4th – ONT Sesay 4:49; ONT McNeley 10:45 PP; ONT Pacheco (F. Tayou) 12:30; ONT Gonzalez 14:24. Penalties – ONT Sesay blue card (holding) 7:40; TAC Keitz yellow card (severe unsportsmanlike manner) 8:58; TAC Keitz red card (3 penalties) 8:58.
Attendance – 2,534
The Stars continue their homestand on Friday January 24 for Latino Heritage night with El Rey 1360 AM. Fans can win special Stars game-worn kits during the in-game auction. Game time is 7:35 pm and you can get your tickets at tacomastars.showare.com today
2019-20 Stars season tickets are available now! Call 1-844-STARS-84 or email info@tacomastars.com to find your favorite seat and make it yours for exciting Tacoma Stars soccer.
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