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Fire Snuffed 11-10 in OT by Stars

January 9, 2011 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Wenatchee Fire News Release


The Wenatchee Fire hosted rival Tacoma Stars Saturday night with an eye toward improving upon their 10-2 blowout loss at Tacoma earlier in the season and improve they did. 276 rowdy Fire fans showed up on Pepsi Poster Night to watch a night of arena soccer fireworks.

Tacoma struck first, scoring twice in the first period before a successful penalty kill led to a momentum shift. Mauricio Lopez would end the quarter putting one on the board for the Fire with just 10 seconds remaining in the quarter on his way to a four goal night.

The beginning of the second quarter saw Tacoma stretch their lead to 4-1 before Victor Navarro posted his sixth of the season, helping the Fire continue their pursuit of the Stars, who would continue to trail into the fourth quarter

The last quarter of regulation featured physical play, with yellow cards issued to Kintz and Stars coach Howes for unsportsmanlike conduct as well as shootout attempts to both sides. Fire 'keeper Matt Stalnik was tested first when the Fire was whistled for a shootout chance, but stood the test. Stars 'keeper Chris Kintz wasn't as lucky. Finally, the Fire's game-long chase of the Stars ended with 4:39 remaining in the fourth quarter when Elias Lopez finally equalised the match with a shootout goal past the Stars goalie.

After a few narrow misses by Elias Lopez and Juan Barboza for the Fire early into the 15 minute, golden goal overtime period, Micah Wenzel posted his second of the night for Tacoma with the game winner 3:56 into overtime.

Garret Brown was listed as questionable going into the duel, but his return to the turf picked up on the form he exhibited at the end of last season. Mauricio Lopez and Brown proved to be the connection of the night for Wenatchee, as Brown assisted Lopez on 3 of his 4 goals on his way to a 1 goal, 4 assist night. But Ian Weinberg of Tacoma had a stellar night of his own, posting a hat trick.

The Wenatchee Fire returns to the Sportsplex next Saturday, January 15, at 7:05 to take on Snohomish Skyhawks. Tickets can be purchased at the Sportsplex located at the bottom of 5th Street at $5 for youth and $7 for adults.

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