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Stefano Hat Trick Strikes Down Scorpions

October 4, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Scorpions' playoff hopes took a major hit on Saturday night as they fell 2-4 to Fort Lauderdale Strikers in front of 7,832 fans at Toyota Field.

The Strikers were led in their efforts by a hat-trick from Stefano. The Fort Lauderdale forward - and the NASL's leading scorer - tabbed goals in the 10th, 40th, and 87th minutes to push his season total to 15.

Stefano's goal in the 10th minute came as a shock after the Scorpions had spent much the opening minutes in the Strikers' end of the field. San Antonio had chances early, but a shot off a first minute free kick hit the post and an eighth minute header from Eric Hassli went wide of the mark.

Five minutes after the first Stefano goal, the Strikers went up 2-0 when Marlon Freitas worked his way around the Scorpions defense and put away his chance.

San Antonio had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back in the 21' when Strikers goalkeeper Lionel Brown went in hard on a challenge in the box and got all Omar Cummings and no ball in the 20th minute. Normally money from the spot, Rafael Castillo uncharacteristically missed the frame to the right.

Castillo had another chance to get the Scorpions a goal in the 28th minute, but his strong effort on a free kick was not enough to beat Brown.

Stefano added his second goal of the night in the 40th minute to put the visitors up 3-0. San Antonio had another chance to get a goal in the 54th minute on a Castillo free kick, but Brown was again up to the challenge and saved the shot. Two minutes later, Scorpions newcomer Kris Tyrpak got the red and black on the board with a wonder goal into the far upper 90 from 25 yards out.

In the 65th minute, Stephen DeRoux passed former Scorpions defender Greg Janicki for the most minutes played in Scorpions history. 14 minutes later, DeRoux scored his first goal in all those minutes (over 6,000) as a member of the Scorpions to get the Alamo City boys within one of the visitors.

Marvin Chávez nearly got the equalizer a few minutes later on a glorious chance deep in Ft. Lauderdales 18-yard-area, but his shot had too much power on it and sailed high. The one-goal deficit was short lived as Stefano got his hat-trick in the 87th minute and Fort Lauderdale left San Antonio with a 4-2 win.

Next week, the Scorpions embark on a three game road trip with the first stop in Indianapolis to face the Eleven.

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