STARS FALL TO ST. LOUIS 5-4 IN OT
ST. CHARLES, MO. – The Stars (3-5) took a two-goal lead into the fourth quarter but could not hold on as the St. Louis Ambush (7-7) picked up the game-winner in overtime to defeat Tacoma 5-4. The Stars took their second penalty of the game in the extra frame and the Ambush converted on the power play to end the game.
Tacoma got off to a quick start when Cory Keitz fed a pass to Mike Ramos moving to his left near the top of the arc and sent a left footer into the net for a 1-0 lead 47 seconds into the game. Later in the first, Eddie Na got in the offensive third on a breakaway and moved to his right past St. Louis keeper Paulo Nascimento for his second goal of the year and a 2-0 Tacoma lead.
The lone goal of the second quarter was St. Louis’ first of two power play goals in the game. Lucas Almeida connected with Tony Walls for the final first half goal and the teams went to the break with the Stars up 2-1.
25 seconds into the third quarter, Nick Perera chipped a pass into the box and Ramos jumped and sent in the goal off his right foot for a 3-1 Stars lead. Ramos got his third point of the game when he assisted on Willie Spurr’s second goal in two games giving Tacoma a three-goal lead at 4-1 with 11:25 to go in the third. That would be Tacoma’s final goal of the game.
The Ambush comeback began with a Stefan Mijatovic goal inside of two minutes to goa in the third and the Stars held a two-goal advantage with 15 minutes to play.
Felipe Silva cut that Tacoma lead to one on an Ado Jahic assist for the Ambush with 13:17 remaining in the fourth. The tying goal came off a Nascimento rocket from outside which was re-directed by JT Thomas into the net with 4:57 to go in regulation.
In the extra frame Adriano Dos Santos drew a blue card for boarding 38 seconds in and it took St. Louis less than a minute for their second power play goal of the game. Mijatovic connected with Thomas for the game winner and complete the Ambush regular season sweep of the Stars.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st – TAC Ramos (Keitz) 0:47; TAC Na (Keitz) 5:19. Penalties – TAC Bench blue card (too many men) 14:59.
2nd – STL Walls (Almeida) PP 1:24. Penalties – none.
3rd – TAC Ramos (Perera) 0:25; TAC Spurr (Ramos) 3:35; STL Mijatovic (Cojocov) 13:01. Penalties – none.
4th – STL Silva (Jahic) 1:43; STL Thomas (Nascimento) 11:03. Penalties – none.
OT – STL Thomas (Mijatovic) 1:36. Penalties – TAC Dos Santos blue card (kicking) 0:38
Shots – Tacoma 3-3-3-2-0 (11), St. Louis 7-4-7-9-1 (28)
The Stars will play three games next week at Toyota Arena in Ontario California beginning with Thursday March 11 against the Florida Tropics at 6 pm PST. The very next night they will battle the host Fury at 6 pm PST. On Sunday March 14, the Stars will conclude their regular season schedule against the San Diego Sockers at 3 pm PST. Watch every game live at https://www.facebook.com/MASLsoccer/events
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