STARS OUTSHINED COMETS 7-6 IN OVERTIME

Kent, WA- The Tacoma Stars (11-11) used a hat-trick and power play goal in overtime from Raphael Cox to defeat the Kansas City Comets (6-15) by a 7-6 final in front of 3,320 fans on Fan Appreciation Night at the Accesso ShoWare Center. It is Tacoma’s third win in a row heading into Thursday night’s playoff game with the San Diego Sockers.

Kansas City had built a 3-1 lead after two quarters on a goal by Andre Braithwaite and a pair of markers from Bryan Perez. Nick Perera put the Stars on the scoreboard just 56 seconds into the second quarter.

Robert Palmer and Philip Lund netted back to back goals for Tacoma to tie the game at three with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter. Braithwaite notched his second goal of the game less than a minute later to put the Comets back in front 4-3. Stars picked up two goals from Raphael Cox and one from Vince McCluskey in the fourth quarter and the Comets used goals from Mirko Sandivari and Ignacio Flores to knot the game at six at the end of regulation.

The Stars began the overtime period on the power play and it took 1:07 for Raphael Cox to nail home the game winner.

Next up for the Stars are the San Diego Sockers in the first round of the Ron Newman Cup playoffs. The first leg of the home and home series will be at the Accesso ShoWare Center on Thursday March 8 at 7:35 pm.  

For tickets call 1-800-STARS-84 or go to www.tacomastars.com

Tacoma Stars games are streamed live on www.masl.tv with live stats available at www.maslsoccer.com.

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