The Tacoma Stars topped the Florida Tropics 4-3 to split their two-game MASL season series in front of 2,890 fans at the accesso ShoWare Center on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Kent-based Stars are 8-10. The Tropics drop to 16-3.<\/p>\n
Much like the first match these teams played on Thursday – an 8-7 Tropics’ win in overtime – this was a close battle that came down to the final goal.<\/p>\n
The Stars’ Nick Perera started the scoring on an assist from Lamar Neagle eight seconds into the second quarter on a power-play goal. Florida’s Rafa Alves was whistled for tripping late in the first quarter, and the Stars began the second quarter with 31 seconds of man-advantage time.<\/p>\n
After Neagle was sent to the penalty box for a reckless tackle, Florida had its first opportunity on the power play, and the Tropics converted. Lucio Gonzaga found Guilherme Dos Santos for the marker with 7:59 to play in the first half, and the teams headed to the locker room tied 1-1.<\/p>\n
Alex Caceres connected with Mike Ramos for a power-play goal to put Tacoma in front 2-1 at 12:51 of the third quarter.<\/p>\n
The Tropics’ Victor Parreiras scored back-to-back goals on assists from Lucas Texeira and Zach Reget to make it a 3-2 Florida lead with 3:42 remaining in the quarter. Vince McCluskey found Caceres for the equalizing goal to send the match to the final 15 minutes tied 3-3.<\/p>\n
Florida had a power-play opportunity when the Stars were sent short-handed on a blue card for too many men on the field. Tacoma’s penalty killers held the Tropics off the board, though Florida had a few good looks at goal. The Tropics eventually outshot the Stars 8-4 in the quarter and 18-17 in the game.<\/p>\n
The final goal, which sealed the win for the Stars, came with 3:21 left in the match, came from Cory Keitz. His fourth goal of the season was assisted by Alessandro Canale. That set up Tacoma to face the Tropics short-handed as it pulled keeper Hugo Silva in favor of a sixth attacker. Stars keeper Danny Waltman made several key saves down the stretch to secure the win for Tacoma.<\/p>\n
The Stars are on the road next week for a pair of games in California. First up is a battle in Ontario against the Fury on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The team continues south to face the San Diego Sockers at 5:05 Sunday. All the action is live on MASL.tv<\/a>.<\/p>\n