January 5, 2025 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Tacoma Stars Press Release
ONTARIO, CA – The Tacoma Stars (1-3-1) capped a tough weekend with a 4-3 loss to the Empire Strikers (3-3-0) on Sunday night at Toyota Arena. For Tacoma, it was their fourth straight loss following their opening win against San Diego. It was a close battle throughout, but Marco Fabián sealed the win for the Empire with a fourth-quarter penalty kick to complete his hat-trick.
The bright spot of Tacoma’s game was Nick Perera’s 226th career assist, which moved him past Leo Gibson to the top of the leaderboard. In the third quarter, a goal was scored that tied the score at 3-3.
Tacoma’s Felipe Souza opened the scoring early in the first quarter just inside the yellow line, sending a rocket off his right foot inside the far post past Empire starting goaltender Brian Orozco to put Tacoma up at 11:09. We brought it up to 1-0. frame.
Fabián started three straight Stryker goals and scored once from the yellow line off a restart assist from Andy Reyes to level the game at 1-1. Both teams continued their scoreless streak until the first quarter, and headed into the second quarter with one goal each on the scoreboard.
Jorge DeLeon and Fabián’s second goals both scored in the second quarter and the teams went into the break with the Strykers holding a 3-1 lead.
Perera went to work in the third quarter, converting an assist from Mike Ramos into a goal to cut the Empire’s lead to 3-2 with 7:57 remaining. It was Ferrera’s seventh goal of the season, but his next Stars goal was his biggest.
He has 225 assists and delivered a pass to Nani Mendoza to tie the game at 3-3 with 5 minutes, 47 seconds to play. Those assists put Ferrera as the all-time leader.
The game was back and forth defensively until Logan Jones received a blue card with 8:33 to go in regulation. That penalty gave Fabián a penalty kick, and he beat Stars goalkeeper Chris Toth to put the Strykers up 4-3.
The Stars now return home to face the San Diego Sockers for their second trip to Accesso ShoWare Center early in the season on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM. Tickets are available today at www.tacomastars.showare.com! Use code NEWYEAR at checkout to save 24% on reserved, club and premier seating through January 25, 2025.
Grading Summary
1st place – TAC Souza 2 3:51; EMP Fabian 7 (Reyes) 5:48. Punishment – None.
2nd place – EMP DeLeon 2 (Gueye) 0:13; EMP Fabian 8 (Palmer) 6:57. Punishment – TAC (BC – Too Many Men) 10:41.
3rd – TAC Ferrera 7 (Ramos) 7:03; TAC Mendoza 1 (Ferrera) 9:13. Punishment – TAC Braem (against yc-) 1:43.
4th place – EMP Fabián 9 6:27 pk. Penalty kick – TAC Jones (bc-handling) 6:27.
Power Play – Star 0/0, Empire 0/2
Shots – Star 30, Empire 26
Foul – Stars 8, Empire 9
Penalty minutes – Stars 7, Empire 0
Attendance – 1,000
Some suites may still be available for some games. Enjoy Stars games in your own private suite with family and friends! Call 1-844-STARS-84 today for more information.
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