STARS TOPPED BY SAVAGE 6-3 FRIDAY NIGHT
CHIHUAHUA, MX. – The Tacoma Stars (4-2-0) kicked off their first trip to Mexico this season at Corner Sport Arena and were tripped up by the Savage 6-3 Friday night. The Stars were within one goal early in the final quarter by Chihuahua pulled away for the win.
The Savage appeared to take a 1-0 lead in the first quarter but the goal was waived off after the referees determined the arena lights were turned off in celebration early and with the ball still in play. Ultimately the teams would head to the 2nd quarter scoreless.
Mike Ramos officially kicked off the scoring for the Stars from just inside the offensive zone on a rocket to put Tacoma up 1-0 with 10:58 to go until halftime. Alex Caceres notched his first of two assists on the goal by Ramos.
For the first time in the MASL this season, a goalkeeper scored a goal when Berna Valdovinos went deep into the Savage attacking zone and walked away with the unassisted goal and a 1-1 score which sent the game to the break tied at 1-1.
Goals in the 3rd quarter came fast from both teams. Brandon Gonzalez started the frenzy with a marker to make it a 2-1 lead for the Savage with 9:39 left in the frame.
Nick Perera fed a pass to Tyler John, who converted for his 3rd goal of the season 19 seconds after the Savage goal, and it was 2-2.
28 seconds after that, Valdovinos scored his 2nd goal of the night, and the Savage took a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.
This time it took over three minutes for a goal to be scored and Alvaro Luevano netted it for the Savage and Chihuahua took a 4-2 lead into the final quarter of play.
Caceres recorded his second assist by finding Philip Lund for his 3rd of the season and that brought the Stars back within one at 4-3 with 12:52 to go.
Roberto Escalante and Edgar Gonzalez scored the final two goals of the contest for the Savage and sealed the 6-3 win in front of another packed house at Corner Sport Arena.
This was the first of four games between the Stars and Savage this season. The teams will next face off at the accesso ShoWare Center on February 17 and 19.
The Stars return to accesso ShoWare Center on January 27 and 29 with a pair of games with the Empire Strykers. The 27th is College Night and mark your calendars for the first Stars Jersey Auction of the season on the 29th for Youth Soccer Day. For tickets to both games head to www.tacomastars.showare.com today!
SCORING SUMMARY
1st – None. Penalties – TAC Souza (bc- kicking) 14:41.
2nd – TAC Ramos-5 (Caceres) 4:02; CUU Valdovinos-1 8:49. Penalties – CUU Contreras (bc- holding) 14:05.
3rd – CUU B. Gonzalez-2 (E. Gonzalez) 5:21; TAC John-3 (Perera) 5:40; CUU Valdovinos-2 6:08; CUU Luevano-2 (Escalante) 9:19. Penalties – CUU Medrano (bc- kicking) 2:56.
4th – TAC Lund-3 (Caceres) 2:08; CUU Escalante-6 7:29; CUU E. Gonzalez-9 (Valdovinos) 11:55. Penalties – None.
Power Play – Stars 0/2, Chihuahua 0/1
Shots – Stars 12, Chihuahua 26
Fouls – Stars 13, Chihuahua 11
Select suites are still available for some games. Enjoy a Stars game with your family and friends in your own private suite! For more information call 1-844-STARS-84 today.
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