STARS BATTLE, BUT COME UP SHORT IN 6-5 LOSS TO SOCKERS

by Pete Richmire

Kent, WA - Nick Perera had three goals and an assist for Tacoma (3-4-0) but the Sockers (6-0-0) notched the game-winning goal late in the fourth quarter to top the Stars by a 6-5 final at the accesso ShoWare Center Saturday night. 

With San Diego's Boris Pardo and Tacoma's Chris Toth both taking the night off with both teams traveling to Southern California to play again in less than 24 hours, Xavier Snaer-Williams and Luis Biruetta got the start in goal for the Sockers and Stars, respectively.

For Snaer-Williams, it was his fourth career start while Biruetta was making his first career MASL start. Both keepers performed well with the Sockers' backstop stopping nine shots and Biruetta ended with 15 saves for the Stars.

Brandon Escoto finished with a pair of goals, including the game-winner with 2:33 left to play in the game.

San Diego will face the Chihuahua Savage at home at 6 pm PST Sunday while the Stars will be at Empire with a 4 pm kick-off.