The Ontario (Calif.) Fury rallied with four unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to down the Tacoma Stars 7-4 in a Major Arena Soccer League match front of 2,534 fans at the accesso ShoWare Center on Saturday night.
The Kent-based Stars dropped to 4-7 on the season. The Fury are 3-7.
Ontario scored first on Nestor Hernandez’ unassisted goal with 6:51 to play in the quarter. The teams battled defensively during the first 15 minutes, combining for only seven shots, five of which belonged to the Fury.
MASL leading goal scorer Franck Tayou knocked in back-to-back goals for the visitors in the second quarter, giving the Fury a 3-0 advantage with 8:20 on the clock in the first half. Mike Ramos put the Stars on the board with his 14th goal of the season on an assist from Nick Perera to make it 3-1 Fury at the half.
The tide turned for the Stars in the third quarter when they posted three consecutive goals, beginning with an Alex Caceres power play goal with 7:40 left in the quarter. Raphael Cox converted on a Ramos assist to tie the score at 3-3 before Perera put the Stars in front. He beat Ontario keeper Chris Toth with 14 seconds left in the third for a 4-3 Stars lead.
Ontario controlled the final quarter, scoring four goals on only six shots while keeping Tacoma off the scoreboard during the last 15 minutes. Israel Sesay brought Ontario level at 4-4 with 10:13 left to play in the game. Fury goals from Evan McNeley and Jesus Pacheco less than two minutes apart gave Ontario some breathing room with a 6-4 lead with 2:30 remaining. An empty net goal from Juan Carlos Gonzalez gave the Fury the final goal and 7-4 win, their first road victory of the season.
The Stars continue their homestand on Friday, Jan. 24 against the Monterrey (Mexico) Flash for Latino Heritage night with El Rey 1360 AM. Fans can win special Stars game-worn kits during an in-game auction. Game time is 7:35 p.m.
Order tickets at tacomastars.showare.com.
SCORING SUMMARY
First quarter – ONT Hernandez 8:09. Penalties – none.
Second quarter – ONT F. Tayou (Stinson) 1:31; ONT F. Tayou (Topete) 6:37; TAC Ramos (Perera) 12:04. Penalties – none.
Third quarter – TAC Caceres (Keitz) 7:10 PP; TAC R. Cox (Ramos) 9:36; TAC Perera 14:46. Penalties – ONT Toth blue card (GK handball outside the box) 5:15; TAC Keitz yellow card (delay of game) 11:07.
Fourth quarter – ONT Sesay 4:49; ONT McNeley 10:45 PP; ONT Pacheco (F. Tayou) 12:30; ONT Gonzalez 14:24. Penalties – ONT Sesay blue card (holding) 7:40; TAC Keitz yellow card (severe unsportsmanlike manner) 8:58; TAC Keitz red card (3 penalties) 8:58.
Attendance – 2,534
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