STARS TOP ONTARIO 8-5 ON TEDDY BEAR TOSS NIGHT
TURLOCK, CA. – The Tacoma Stars (2-1) wrapped up the home portion of their 2019 schedule by hosting the Ontario Fury (0-2) at the accesso ShoWare Center for the annual Teddy Bear Toss game to benefit Toys for Tots. A game tied after three quarters was blown open by a five-goal Tacoma fourth quarter on their way to an 8-5 win in front of 2,244 fans.
Teddy Bears flew on to the pitch with 7:28 left in the first when Tacoma’s Chase Hanson opened scoring on an assist from Dan Antoniuk. The lead almost held until the end of the quarter, but Justin Stinson found Maicon De Abreu for the Fury goal to tie matters 1-1 with 26 seconds left in the first.
The lone goal of the second quarter belonged to Ontario as Juan Topete notched his first of the year, also assisted by Stinson with 4:30 remaining in the half.
Tacoma wasted no time in tying the match with a Nick Perera goal with 11:02 left in the third. The Stars took the lead off the foot of Lamar Neagle only to see the Fury level the score less than a minute later on Evan McNeley’s second goal of the season with 2:26 to go in the third quarter.
It was a goal bonanza in the final frame beginning just eight seconds into the 4th on the first of two Mike Ramos goals. Vince McCluskey converted on an Alessandro Canale assist to give Tacoma a 5-3 lead with 9:57 on the clock. Two Fury goals just ten seconds apart, first from Franck Tayou followed by Israel Sesay brought Ontario even again, this time at 5-5 with 9:02 to play.
The lone power play of the match followed a blue card issued to Fury’s Edson Cardona and Tacoma converted quickly. Perera found Jamael Cox for the goal nine seconds into the man advantage to put the Stars back in front. With Tacoma up 6-5, the Stars logged two goals against six Fury attackers in the final two minutes from Ramos and Adam West for the 8-5 win.
| SCORING SUMMARY | |
| 1st | TAC Hanson (Antoniuk) 7:32; ONT De Abreu (Stinson) 14:34. Penalties – none. |
| 2nd | ONT Topete (Stinson) 10:30. Penalties – none. |
| 3rd | TAC Perera (Caceres) 3:58; TAC Neagle 12:08; ONT McNeley (Gonzalez) 12:33. Penalties – none. |
| 4th | TAC Ramos (Perera) 0:08; TAC McCluskey (Canale) 5:04; ONT F. TAYOU (McNeley) 5:48; ONT Sesay 5:58; TAC J. Cox (Perera) 9:37 PP; TAC Ramos (Waltman) 13:49; TAC West (J. Cox) 14:56. Penalties – ONT Cardona blue card (holding) 9:16. |
| OT | Penalties – none. |
| Attendance – 2,244 | |
The Stars are on the road for the next six games before returning to the accesso ShoWare Center on Friday January 10, 2020 when they welcome Western Conference foe Turlock Cal Express to kick off the new year. Game time is 7:35 pm and you can get your tickets at tacomastars.showare.com today!
The Stars kicked off their 2019-2020 season schedule. Guarantee your seat to all of the fast-paced excitement of Tacoma Stars soccer by logging on to tacomastars.showare.com to get your tickets.
2019-20 Stars season tickets are available now! Call 1-844-STARS-84 or email info@tacomastars.com to find your favorite seat and make it yours for exciting Tacoma Stars soccer.
Legacy Membership are now available for the Tacoma Stars. Guarantee your life-time seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84, or emailing info@tacomastars.com, or go to www.tacomastars.com.
Stay up to date with the Stars by following them on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or Instagram (Instagram.com/thetacomastars)