Strykers pull away to drop Tropics 11-7 in California

ONTARIO, CA. – The Florida Tropics couldn’t keep up with the Empire Strykers Tuesday night at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, falling 11-7 in a Major Arena Soccer League game. 

It was the Tropics third loss in their last five games – playing a stretch of eight games in 18 days – and second straight after falling at home to Chihuahua 9-5 last Friday. The team has allowed 29 goals in their last three games, the most goals ever given up over a three-game stretch in franchise history. 

Florida will be home in Lakeland this weekend for a pair of games against the Harrisburg Heat. Friday night’s kickoff is at 7 p.m. and Sunday’s start is at 3 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on the MASL TV on Twitch. 

On Tuesday, the Tropics led just once at 1-0 when Ricardo Carvalho got the first goal of the game. The teams were tied 2-2 after the first quarter, and Emprie’s lead was just 3-2 at intermission before the Strykers offensive floodgates opened, including five goals in the fourth quarter alone. 

Carvalho finished with two goals and one assist, while Kiel Williams had a goal and two assists to lead Florida’s attack. 

Gabriel Costs had a four-point night for Empire with three goals and an assist. While Israel Sesay and Justin Stinson had two goals each. No less than eight Empire players had at least two points in the game. 

Florida fell to 4-2-1 on the season (one overtime loss) while Ontario improved to 2-3-1. 

Tickets for all home games are available starting at just $7 per game by calling the arena box office at 863-834-8111. Although tickets are also available online at www.rpfundingcenter.com, service fees are significantly higher through Ticketmaster as opposed to calling the box office directly. Tickets are also available on game day at the box office.