RESERVES SCORE 8 UNANSWERED GOALS TO TOP FORCE
TACOMA, WA. – The Tacoma Stars Reserves found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime before going on a second-half run and ultimately defeating the visiting Oly-Pen Force by an 8-1 final at the Tacoma Soccer Center Saturday night. The Reserves improved their season record to 2-0-0 while Oly-Pen dropped to 1-1-0.
The lone goal of the opening half came just 49 seconds into the game when Oly-Pen’s Cory Burbridge found the back of the net with an unassisted goal for a very quick 1-0 lead for the Force. Not only was that the only goal of the half between the teams, it proved to be the only goal for Oly-Pen in the game as Reserves goalkeeper Luis Birrueta cruised to the win.
The Reserves returned from the locker room at halftime in a different mode and ran up eight unanswered goals to notch the victory. AJ Nitzel put the Reserves on the board with 9:09 left in the 3rd quarter and finished the game with two goals. Cale Spence also scored a pair of goals for Tacoma to go with two assists and led all scorers with four points in the game. Two goals from Ismael Deluna and single goals from Jonathon Leiding and Danny Minniti completed the scoring for the Reserves.
Spence and Nitzel earned the 1st and 2nd Stars of the Game with Force goalkeeper Isaiah Damschen being named the 3rd Star of the Game. He was key in the first half in shutting out the Reserves and made several big saves throughout the contest.
After the game, Reserves head coach Adam Becker said, “Tonight was a tough battle and credit to Oly-Pen for making us work for it. We struggled to find our rhythm early and they took advantage, keeping us down 1-0 until midway through the 3rd quarter,” about the first half.
Following his halftime adjustments he said, “Once we found our stride, everything started to click. Scoring eight unanswered goals was a testament to the hard work and resilience of our team. We’ll build on this experience and come back even stronger. Great job to the players on both sides for a well-fought match.”
Up next for the Reserves is a home game against the 0-1-0 Snohomish Sky who fell to Bellingham United by a 9-5 final Saturday night.
The Stars will open the 2024-25 campaign at home against the San Diego Sockers on Saturday, December 7 at 6:05 pm. It’s the annual Teddy Bear Toss Night and Toy Drive so tell everyone to come out and support this great cause! Tickets are on sale now at www.tacomastars.showare.com
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