Bolts Edge out Crucial 8-7 Home Win over Tacoma
January 6, 2013 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Anaheim Bolts News Release
ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Anaheim Bolts kept their postseason hopes alive on Saturday night by defeating the visiting Tacoma Stars 8-7. Defender Garr Persson turned in a standout performance for the hosts, as he played an unusual role by carrying his team's attack with four tallies. The fans at Bolts Arena saw a nail-biter in the final period, Tacoma bringing on a sixth attacker and the Anaheim defense doing well to hold on for a victory by the slightest of margins.
The Bolts displayed impressive defensive discipline in the game's opening quarter, and they were rewarded with a well-deserved 2-0 lead, Christian Ramirez and Persson finding the net for the home side. The tightly contested second quarter saw each side fire home once for a 3-1 Anaheim advantage. The Stars' Amos Freiheit struck first on a spectacular left-footed half-volley inside the far post, followed by Persson's second tally at the other end.
The teams went on to split the highly entertaining third period at four apiece. After Jose Gomez and Tommy Antunovich scored for the Bolts, Tacoma responded with three unanswered goals by Freiheit, Ian Weinberg and Eli Gordley, Weinberg creating one of the game's most memorable moments in the form of a right-footed blast into the upper ninety. The home side showed a strong reaction of its own, as Persson and Miguel Sanchez struck for a pair of tallies, followed by a goal from the Stars' Facundo DiPasquale to close out the quarter.
Entering the closing period with a 7-5 advantage, the Bolts would go on to edge out a crucial 8-7 victory. After Persson bagged his fourth to extend the Anaheim lead to three, Tacoma showed impressive fighting spirit by finding the net twice within a short span of time, Jeff Bader and Maru Lee firing home to cut the deficit to one. Anaheim netminder Manabu Kaji had one of the best plays of the contest following Bader's goal, as he displayed outstanding athleticism to deny Weinberg on a shootout.
The Stars brought on a sixth attacker in the final moments of the match but were unable to overcome the feisty Anaheim defense, which denied wave after wave of opposition attacks to hold on for the all-important win.
Orange County's professional indoor soccer team returns to action on Saturday, January 12, as it takes on the Sacramento Surge in yet another must-win fixture. Tickets for the 7 p.m. PT clash start at $12 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Anaheim Convention Center Arena box office. Parking is free. For more information, please call the Bolts front office at 714-321-9898 or the Anaheim Convention Center Arena at 714-765-8980.
• Discuss this story on the Professional Arena Soccer League message board...
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 6, 2013
- Dallas Sidekicks Come up Short in Overtime Thriller, Chicago Edges out 8-7 Win - Dallas Sidekicks
- Bolts Edge out Crucial 8-7 Home Win over Tacoma - Anaheim Bolts
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
