STARS DROPPED BY SOCKERS 9-4

by Pete Richmire

KENT, WA. – The Tacoma Stars (5-5) welcomed the Major Arena Soccer League’s Pacific Division leading San Diego Sockers (9-1) to the accesso ShoWare Center for the first time this season and gave up seven second half goals to lose 9-4 in front of 2,275 fans. The loss drops the Stars to four games behind San Diego in the division.

The first half was close as the Stars opened scoring with 8:39 left in the first quarter on Raphael Cox’s first goal of the season, assisted by Nick Perera to put Tacoma up 1-0. Kraig Chiles and Taylor Walter Bond scored just eight seconds apart for the Sockers and San Diego was up 2-1 after one quarter.

The only goal of the second quarter belonged to Perera assisted by Joey Gjertsen to knot the game 2-2 at the half.

Less than one minute into the third quarter, Brandon Escoto scored the first of his three goals on the night for San Diego to put the Sockers up 3-2. Jamael Cox put one in for Tacoma to tie the game 3-3 before the Sockers went in front for good on a Leonardo De Oliveira goal with 1:46 left in the third.

Brian Farber netted a goal for the Sockers 27 seconds into the final frame to give San Diego a two-goal lead. Felipe Gonzalez put San Diego up 6-3 with 11:31 left to play and Tacoma pulled goalkeeper Danny Waltman for a 6^th attacker. With the man-advantage Tacoma picked up a goal from Gjertsen and that was as close as the Stars would get at 6-4 with 9:54 remaining. Escoto would net two more to complete his hat trick with Farber’s second of the night to close out scoring on the 9-4 final.

With the win, San Diego evens the season series with the Stars are one win apiece.

Scoring Summary

1^st – TAC R. Cox (Perera) 6:21; SD Chiles (Ortega) 11:18; SD Bond 11:25.

2^nd – TAC Perera (Gjertsen) 11:53 PP.

3^rd – SD Escoto 0:57; TAC J. Cox 6:11; SD De Oliveira 13:13 PP.

4^th – SD Farber (Cerda) 0:27; SD Gonzalez 3:29; TAC Gjertsen (Perera) 5:06; SD Escoto (Farber) 7:36; SD Farber 14:18; SD Escoto 14:15.

Penalties

1^st - None.

2^nd - TAC Da Silva 2:00 (pushing) 10:01; SD Ortega 2:00 (pushing) 10:01; SD Gonzalez 2:00 (dangerous play) 11:17.

3^rd - TAC Da Silva 2:00 (tripping) 2:34; TAC R. Cox 2:00 (contact above the shoulder) 11:41.

4^th - TAC bench 2:00 served by Cairel (too many men) 9:10.

Shots- Tacoma 7-6-1-3 (17), San Diego 6-0-7-8 (21)

Attendance – 2,275

The Stars next home action comes on Sunday, February 17 against the Pacific Division leading San Diego Sockers. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:05 pm. Guarantee your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84 or go to www.tacomastars.com.

The Stars are in Ontario on Sunday to face the Fury with a 5:00 pm kickoff scheduled. You can catch the action live on MASL.tv where you can see all Major Arena Soccer League action live

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.

Single game tickets to all Tacoma Stars home games are available. Head to tacomastars.showare.com to purchase your tickets.

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