LEE’S LATE GOAL KEEPS FURY’S PLAYOFF HOPES STRONG
The Ontario Fury, Driven by Mark Christopher Chevrolet, got a goal from Jiho Lee with 1:19 remaining to lift the team to a thrilling 7-5 victory over the Tacoma Stars in front of 5,613 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Thursday night.
Lee, playing in his first game with the Fury, blasted an Alex Caceres pass low through a screen past the Stars goaltender Danny Waltman to break a 5-5 tie in the fourth quarter. It was the second goal of the game for Lee, a South Korean futsal veteran.
The Fury had raced out to a 5-0 halftime lead thanks to two goals from Leonardo de Oliveira and a goal apiece from Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Maicon de Abreu and Lee. But the Stars whittled away at the lead in the second half, tying it with 2:10 remaining on a goal by Raphael Cox.
Corey Maret was fouled in the corner to set up the final goal, as coach Bernie Lilavois drew up a play to go to Lee, whose blast sent the crowd into a frenzy. De Oliveira scored into an empty net with .4 seconds remaining drawing another huge cheer from the crowd.
Ontario now heads out on a season-ending four-game road trip, starting next weekend playing three games in three nights at El Paso on Friday, at Dallas on Saturday and in Chicago on Sunday. The Fury will finish the season March 3 in Turlock against the Express.
Season tickets for the 2017-18 season are on sale now through the Fury’s offices by calling 909-457-0252. Packages include all Ontario Fury home games, parking, merchandise discounts and invitations to exclusive events with the team.