Ramos Lifts Stars To 5-4 Victory And Into Playoffs
February 27, 2016 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Tacoma Stars News Release
Tacoma Stars Celebrate an Important Goal
(Tacoma Stars, Credit: Wilson Tsoi/Tacoma Stars)
TACOMA, Wash. -- For the second week in a row, midfielder Michael Ramos sealed victory for the Tacoma Stars (13-7). His last-minute goal on Friday night at the ShoWare Center lifted the Stars to a 5-4 victory over the visiting Ontario Fury (12-8), and vaulted Tacoma into the Major Arena Soccer League playoffs.
Tacoma raced out to an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter with goals from forwards Joey Gjertsen and Mark Lee, separated by only 10 seconds - both goals were unassisted.
The Fury managed a pair of goals in the second quarter while holding the Stars off the board to knot up the match at 2-2 heading into halftime. Juan Topete notched Ontario's first goal of the night seven and a half minutes into the quarter, and Tiguinho Dias followed with an equalizer just over a minute later.
Topete and Mauricio Salles swatted in a pair of goals for the Fury in the third quarter, giving Ontario a 4-3 advantage heading into the final quarter with the playoffs on the line.
With just over three minutes remaining in the match, Tacoma forward Derek Johnson took a pass from forward Vince McCluskey and snuck in the equalizing goal. Two minutes later, after a handful of failed chances and with just 40 seconds remaining in the match, Ramos rocketed the game-winner behind Fury goalkeeper Sanaldo Freitas to push Tacoma to victory.
Gjertsen finished the match with a brace for Tacoma, while goalkeeper Danny Waltman contributed 10 saves on 14 shots.
Tacoma will face the San Diego Sockers (12-7) in the first round of the MASL playoffs next week. Dates for the contests will be announced following the conclusion of the Sockers match against the Dallas Sidekicks (7-11) this Sunday, Feb. 28.
Tickets for the Stars home playoff match are available to purchase now. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars online at www.tacomastars.com. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Stars can be found by following the Stars on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or liking the team on Facebook.
Images from this story
 Tacoma Stars Celebrate an Important Goal (Wilson Tsoi/Tacoma Stars) |
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from February 27, 2016
- Blast Fall to Comets 5-4 - Baltimore Blast
- Milwaukee Wave Close Out Regular Season With Exciting 6-5 Win Over St. Louis Ambush - Milwaukee Wave
- Comets Sweep the Baltimore Blast in Regular Season Finale - Kansas City Comets
- Blast Fall to Comets 5-4 - Baltimore Blast
- Heat Fall Short in OT - Harrisburg Heat
- Ambush Drop Close Game to Milwaukee in Season Finale - St. Louis Ambush
- Stars Announce First Round Playoff Dates - Tacoma Stars
- Ramos Lifts Stars To 5-4 Victory And Into Playoffs - Tacoma Stars
- Baltimore Defeats Ambush 9-4 in Home Finale - St. Louis Ambush
- Fury Season Ends with Heartbreaking Last-Minute Loss - Ontario Fury
- Heat Fall Short to Knigts - Harrisburg Heat
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