The Tacoma Stars incurred their first home loss of the season, a 9-6 decision to the Chicago Mustangs in a Major Arena Soccer League match at the ShoWare Center on Friday night.
In a game of scoring sprees, the Mustangs (10-8) logged unanswered scoring streaks of five and four goals, while the Stars (10-9) scored three unanswered goals on two separate occasions.
Forwards Dan Antoniuk (one goal, one assist) and Alex Megson (two assists) led the Stars. Goalkeeper Danny Waltman made eight saves on 17 shots in nearly 56 minutes in the net.
The Mustangs came out of the gates firing, scoring three goals in the first quarter while keeping the Stars off the scoreboard. Douglas Dos Santos opened the scoring with just over three minutes into the match, and Taylor Bond followed with a pair of goals.
Bonds’ third consecutive goal 24 seconds into the second quarter extended the Mustangs’ lead to 4-0, and Alexis Camarena pushed it to 5-0 with his first goal of the night.
Three minutes later, the Stars burst onto the scene, scoring three quick goals over a span of under five minutes of play. Midfielder Jamael Cox opened the floodgates and was followed by scores from forward Ty Hall — his first of the season — and midfielder Joseph Cairel to cut the Mustangs’ lead to 5-3.
Chicago would answer with one final goal in the first half, this time off the foot of Francisco Gonzalez, to extend its edge back out to three goals, 6-3, at halftime.
Chicago built its lead with three unanswered goals after halftime, stretching into the ninth minute of the fourth quarter, giving the Mustangs their largest lead of the night at 9-3.
A furious rally over the final five minutes of the match brought Tacoma back within striking distance, but it could not fully close the gap. Extra-attacker goals by forward Joey Gjertsen and Antoniuk sandwiched a goal lined in by defender Chase Hanson to create the final score of 9-6.
The Stars, still looking to secure a spot in the MASL playoffs, wrap up the regular season with a match against the division-leading San Diego Sockers at the ShoWare Center next Saturday, March 4. First kick is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Tickets, group outings, family packs and suite offerings for Tacoma Stars are available. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars at www.tacomastars.com.
