TACOMA STARS COME UP SHORT 6-4 IN SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO, CA. – 8,492 fans packed Pachanga Arena San Diego looking for Landon Donovan’s first goal in a San Diego Sockers (13-1) kit but instead had to settle for a 6-4 win over the Stars (6-7). Donovan did pick up his first Major Arena Soccer League point on Brandon Escoto’s game winning goal in the second quarter.
Brian Farber opened scoring for the Sockers in the first quarter on one of Taylor Walter Bond’s two assists on the night with 7:18 remaining in the first quarter. It was Philip Lund’s 12th goal of the year on an assist from Derek Johnson that leveled the match for the final time with 3:40 left in the quarter.
The second quarter belonged to San Diego. Four unanswered goals from Cesar Cerda, Juan Gonzalez, Guerrero Pino, and Escoto gave the Sockers a 5-1 lead at the break. Escoto’s goal came 13 seconds into a power play when the Stars leading scorer Nick Perera picked up a blue card after receiving his fourth foul of the half.
The Stars sped up the pace to open the second half and Lund found Perera for his 16th goal of the season with 5:54 left in the third. Travis Pittman knocked in San Diego’s only goal of the half to give the Sockers a 6-2 lead with 2:22 on the clock. Alex Megson assisted on Perera’s second goal of the night and the Stars trailed by a 6-3 score with one quarter left to play.
Troy Peterson sailed home an unassisted goal, his second of the year, with 12:17 left in the fourth but that would be all the scoring in the game. Tacoma pulled goalkeeper Sanaldo with just over three minutes left but the Sockers were able to hold the lead for the win.
Scoring Summary
1st Qtr - SD Farber (Bond) 7:42; TAC Lund (Johnson) 11:20; Penalties - none.
2nd Qtr - SD Cerda (Pino) 3:39; SD Gonzalez (Bond) 6:35; SD Pino (Pardo) 9:36; SD Escoto (Donovan) 12:36 PP; Penalties - TAC Perera blue card (4 fouls in a half) 12:23.
3rd Qtr - TAC Perera (Lund) 9:06; SD Pittman (Contreras) 12:38; TAC Perera (Megson) 13:06; Penalties - none.
4th Qtr - TAC Peterson (unassisted) 2:43; Penalties - TAC Da Silva blue card (tripping) 6:38; SD Pardo yellow card (dissent) served by Farber 6:38
Attendance - 8,492
The Stars action comes on Sunday, February 17 when they host the San Diego Sockers. Kickoff is set for 5:05 pm. Guarantee your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84 or go to www.tacomastars.com.
Sunday February 17 is B.E.C.U. Military Night vs the San Diego Sockers. Come join the Stars in honoring the men and women who protect our country! The Stars will be wearing special kits which will be auctioned off during the match.
Bobblehead fans rejoice! The Stars have two Bobblehead Nights on the calendar presented by Sound Credit Union. Friday March 1 is Preki Bobblehead Night and Sunday March 10 is your chance at a Danny Waltman Bobblehead. Simply purchase a 6-game pack or buy a group of 10 or more tickets and one, or both collectibles can be yours. Hurry! Supplies are limited.
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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