STARS OPEN UP IN SECOND HALF, BEAT TURLOCK 9-5

TURLOCK, CA. – The Tacoma Stars (9-9) scored six second half goals at Turlock Indoor Soccer to pick up a 9-5, come from behind win over the Express (2-16) Friday night. With the win, the Stars move a full game ahead of the Ontario Fury for the Pacific Division’s second playoff spot. Mike Ramos picked up five goals in the game for Tacoma.

Each team scored two goals in the opening quarter beginning with Douglas Lima finding the net just 1:41 into the match for Turlock. MASL leading scorer Nick Perera sent in the first of his two goals on the night with 9:57 to go in the first. Less than a minute later Omar Tapia gave the Express a one-goal lead at 2-1 before Perera’s second goal leveled the match after one quarter of play.

In the second quarter the Express took a one goal lead for the third time on an Arturo Pulido goal with 12:17 left in the half. Ramos converted on a Chase Hanson assist for his first goal of the night to close out scoring in the first half with 2:59 to play.

Tacoma took its first lead of the match in the third quarter on a Pablo Da Silva from Perera goal with 12:24 remaining. Luis Brambila brought Turlock even for the final time just 15 seconds later for a 4-4 score. It was Ramos, on a power play, who put the Stars in front for good with a 5-4 score after three quarters.

Ramos started the fourth quarter with back to back goals on assists from Perera and Joey Gjertsen to give the Stars a three-goal lead at 7-4 with 6:52 to play in the game. Tapia nailed Turlock’s final goal of the game with just over five minutes left and then Ramos knocked in his fifth goal of the match on a Da Silva assist for an 8-5 Stars lead. Cory Keitz launched an empty-net goal that rolled in just as time expired to seal the 9-5 final score and give Tacoma a 3-0 advantage in the season series.

These two teams will complete the home and home series on Sunday at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. Kick off is set for 5:05 pm. Seattle Sounders FC star Lamar Neagle is expected to make his Tacoma Stars debut on Sunday.