STARS DOWN FURY 6-3, TAKE OVER FIRST PLACE
ONTARIO, CA. – The Tacoma Stars (4-1) went into Ontario a half-game behind the Fury (4-2) in the Major Arena Soccer League standings. After a 6-3 win, they left in first place by the same margin. The win, in front of 1,457 fans at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, completes a weekend road trip sweep of the Fury and Sockers and the Stars are now a perfect 2-0 away from the accesso ShoWare Center.
Much like last night in San Diego, the Stars opponent started the scoring early in the first. Tacoma picked up a 2-minute penalty for too many men on the field and just 32 second in to the power play Juan Carlos Gonzalez made them pay with a goal with 13:38 left in the quarter. Nick Perera notched the equalizer with 4:29 on the clock to make it 1-1 after one quarter.
Tacoma would open space on the scoreboard in the second quarter with three unanswered goals. The first was an own goal by Ontario credited to Jamael Cox with 11:19 left in the half. With 6:11 remaining, Mike Ramos nailed his first marker of the year, assisted by Perera. Just over one minute later it was Adam West who scored his first of two in the game to give the Stars a three-goal advantage at 4-1. Maicon de Abreu closed out the scoring in the first half for Ontario and the Stars took a 4-2 advantage in to the locker room.
After a scoreless third quarter, West knocked home his second of the game on an assist by Matt Clare with 3:31. Chase Hanson scored his second goal of the season, assisted by Philip Lund with 1:38 to go. The teams reached the 6-3 final when Francisco Cordeiro scored for the Fury in the final minute of play.
The Stars continue their four-game road trip in the New Year when they travel to Texas to take on the El Paso Coyotes on January 4.
Scoring
1st – ONT – Gonzalez (Hughes) 1:12; TAC – Perera (Ramos) 10:31
2nd- TAC – J. Cox 3:41; TAC – Ramos (Perera) 6:01; TAC – West (Gjertsen) 9:30; ONT – De Abreu 13:26
3rd- TAC – No scoring
4th- TAC – West (Clare) 11:29; TAC – Hanson (Lund) 13:12; ONT – Cordeiro 14:00
The Stars continue their road trip in 2019 when they play the El Paso Coyotes on January 4 at 5:00 pm. Stars road games are streamed live on www.masl.tv with live stats available at www.maslsoccer.com.
The Stars next home action Friday, January 11 against the Monterrey Flash. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:35 pm. Guarantee your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84 or go to www.tacomastars.com.
There’s still time to purchase 2018-2019 Season Tickets or a Legacy Membership with the Tacoma Stars. Guarantee your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84, or emailing info@tacomastars.com, or go to www.tacomastars.com.
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