The Tacoma Stars had a two-game home-stand last weekend, hosting Monterrey Flash on Friday night and Ontario Fury the following evening. The Stars split the games, falling to Monterrey in heartbreaking fashion but dominating Ontario in the second game.

Results

1/11
Tacoma 8
Monterrey 9

In a match where the largest lead was two goals, it look destined for over time with the teams tied at seven apiece in the middle of the fourth quarter. But a late Flash surge led to a golden chance to Franck Tayou, who had already scored four goals, and gave Monterrey the game wining goal with six seconds left. The defeat dropped the Stars to an even four wins and four losses.

Goal scorers: Lund 2 (8), Perera (10), Ramos (5), Clare (5), Keitz (2), Cairel (1), Peterson (1)

1/12
Tacoma 8
Ontario 5

With both teams coming off loses, It would be Tacoma who would want it more. Tacoma blanked the Fury in the second quarter. While the defense held Ontario off the board, the offense tagged Fury goalkeeper Chris Toth for three goals, which were the key difference in the victory.

Goalscorers: Lund 2 (10), Keitz 2 (4), Perera (11), J. Cox (5), Gjertsen (4), Ivanovic (1)

Highlights, Stats, and Quotes

Quotes from 1/11 match

Head Coach Nick Perera

On the result: “I think everything was great. We played very well. Take away some individual mistakes that we made, some easy goals we gave them, we played a good game. When you hand goals to a lethal team it’s going to be a long night.

On then next match: “We need to win. Take care of our business, which is winning at home.”

On facing a tough stretch: “I think the guys are hungry. we are physically ready. We need to make sure the guys on the field are ready, cut down on individual mistakes that is what I saw.”

Defender Pablo Da Silva

On joining the Stars: “ I feel good. Those guys they’er really nice and have warmly welcomed me. I am really happy to be here. I have watched these guys before signing, and I see a lot of potential here.”

On the result: “We had it. Take away some individual mistakes and we win. I made some mistakes. We need to avoid that against the good teams.”

On next the next match: “You gotta be prepared for every game. Tomorrow is a rival. We need to beat those guys.”

On adjusting to a new team mid season: “The guys really welcomed me. The players, the ownership, the coach Nick Perera. I really enjoy it. I am really happy to be here. I feel at home. I’ll need to adjust to how they play.”

Quotes from 1/12

Head Coach Nick Perera

On team performance: “We took our chances tonight. Like I said last night we needed to put those in the back of the net.”

On moving on from a tough loss: “We were defensively better. We prevented a lot of chances and on our end we put away our chances.

On facing San Diego: “They see who we are playing. And it is on them to get excited. If you are a professional soccer player and you can’t get excited for a game you got a problem.”

Defender Cory Keitz

On scoring two goals: “Its great to get a win. To beat Ontario a division rival is huge. I am very happy to help the team in any way I can.”

On the tough stretch: “I thought we were good. Some mistakes cost us. Overall we were good, tonight we carried it over and put a total team effort to get the win.”

On facing San Diego: “We need to get back to work on Monday. The guys are confident. San Diego is a formidable divisional team, and we know they will give us their best shot.

Stats roundup

• Nick Perera leads the league in assists with 16, and in points with 27
• Three Stars have more than 10 points: Perera (27), Ramos (13), Lund (13)
• Seventeen different Stars players have scored a goal
• Stars goals leaders: Perera (11), Lund (10), West (7), Ramos (5), Clare (5)

Awards

Nick Perera was named to the MASL Team of the Week. This is his second Team of the Week honor this season.

Up Next

The Stars face a two-game weekend (again), with a home game on Friday night versus the San Diego Sockers. This will be the second meeting between the two long-time rivals. The Stars took the first meeting of the year, 5-4, in San Diego. The Stars then go on the road to face the Ontario Fury. This will be the fourth meeting of the season between the Stars and Fury. Tacoma has won two of the three prior meetings, with both squads swapping 6-3 wins on the other’s home turf, while Tacoma won the third match at home.