The Tacoma Stars dropped a season-opening, Major Arena Soccer League match to the San Diego Sockers 7-3 in front of 3,191 fans at the accesso ShoWare Center on Saturday night.
Goalkeeper Danny Waltman found Mike Ramos with a long pass to put the Stars up 1-0. Travis Pittman pulled the Sockers even on an unassisted marker with 21 second left to play in the first quarter.
San Diego pulled in front for good with 8:14 remaining in the second quarter when Kraig Chiles scored the first of back-to-back goals on a power play opportunity. After Chiles’ second goal, Nick Perera scored on a pass from Alex Caceres for a 3-2 San Diego lead at halftime.
Slavisa Ubiparipovic gave the Sockers breathing room, scoring on consecutive goals to open the third quarter. Tacoma closed out the scoring in the third on Alessandro Canale’s unassisted goal with 5:07 to play.
Fourth quarter scoring was all San Diego despite being outshot by the Stars in the final 15 minutes. Brandon Escoto scored with 2:55 remaining in the game, and just 40 seconds later Brian Farber knocked in the Sockers’ seventh goal of the match.
The Stars are on the road Friday to play the Turlock Cal Express at 7:05 p.m. (MASL.tv). They return home to face the Ontario Fury at 5:05 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 in the annual Teddy Bear Toss game.
For tickets, visit tacomastars.showare.com.
Follow the team at tacomastars.com.
SCORING SUMMARY
First quarter – TAC, Ramos (Waltman) 12:10; SD, Pittman 14:32. Penalties – none.
Second quarter – SD, Chiles (Escoto) 6:46 PP; SD Chiles 9:11; TAC, Perera (Caceres) 12:31. Penalties – SD, Salvagio blue card (dissent) 0:00; TAC, Ramos blue card (boarding) 5:47; SD bench blue card (too many men) 10:02.
Third quarter – SD, Ubiparipovic (Pittman) 1:15; SD, Ubiparipovic 8:14; TAC, Canale 9:53. Penalties – TAC, Caceres blue card (holding) 6:10; SD, Chiles blue card (boarding) 14:50; TAC, Perera blue card (unsportsmanlike conduct) 14:50.
Fourth quarter – SD, Escoto (Chiles) 12:05; SD, Farber (Gutierrez) 14:39. Penalties – TAC, Neagle yellow card (illegal substitution) 7:04; SD, Ortega blue card (tripping) 9:05; SD, Pardo yellow card (dissent) 15:00.
Attendance – 3,191
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