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Chihuahua Savage vs Tacoma Stars, Semifinals Conference
April 5, 2024 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Chihuahua Savage News Release
The regular phase is now behind us, with a season of 24 games, 16 victories, 7 defeats, and 48 points earned positioning the Savage team in second place in the Western Conference, just behind the San Diego Sockers. This sets them up to face off against the Tacoma Stars in the playoff phase.
Under the guidance of Coach Geno, the team will kick off their title defense on Friday, April 5th, in Tacoma, Washington, aiming for a victory to take control of the series. Then, back at home, the Savage territory will witness the conclusion of the tie on Sunday, April 7th, at the Arena Corner Sport in front of their home crowd.
The Savage team faced adverse results against the Stars in their last two encounters, with both games witnessing dramatic turnarounds in the final minutes. While the Chihuahua Savage initially dominated the matches with dynamic play, lapses in confidence towards the end led to unexpected defeats.
Tacoma capitalized on defensive errors made by the Chihuahua team to secure victories in both games. This necessitates flawless execution from the Savage, who have demonstrated their capabilities in recent matches, both at home and away during the final phase of the regular season, securing all available points and displaying footballing prowess across all areas of the field.
In the first encounter, the Savage and the Stars engaged in a thrilling battle, with Mexican player Angel "Curry" Castro leading the scoring for the Savage, countered by Justin Stinson for the Stars, resulting in a 3-3 draw, despite three lead changes favoring the Stars.
The second game saw an even more incredible turn of events, as the Savage failed to maintain their lead until the end and were tied in the final minute due to a controversial play, ultimately leading to extra time and a shootout. Despite a penalty awarded against them, which was saved by goalkeeper Chris Toth, the Savage emerged victorious in the series.
The Savage squad is fully assembled and ready for their first challenge, having been in North American territory for over a week to acclimate and prepare fully, mitigating the effects of travel fatigue. Therefore, the management opted for the team to remain in the United States for the entire week leading up to the match in Washington State. With no injuries reported, key players like Carlos "Poper" Hernández and Miguel "Mike" Díaz have also joined the squad from Chihuahua, with Díaz overcoming a previous injury.
With the unwavering support of their fans, the Savage team is poised to confront this challenge from Tacoma, aiming to advance in the playoffs and keep the dream of a MASL Bicampeonato alive.
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