Tacoma Stars split back to back games in California

Published on January 19, 2011 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Tacoma Stars News Release


After dropping game 1 of the back to back on Friday, the Stars came from behind to pick up a Western Division victory and earn a weekend split Saturday night.

The Stars defensive effort over the weekend was what head coach Greg Howes felt was the difference. "I thought in game 1 we let down defensively for five minutes and let them back into it, but overall we defended great," said Howes. "Tonight we focused for 60 minutes, got timely goals from defenders and big saves from Chris (Kintz) and again our team defense limited their quality chances."

Over the weekend the Stars offense was led by Forwards Ian Weinberg (3 goals 2 assists) and Greg Howes (4-1-5). The Stars will need to improve on man-down play as they move forward as California was able to capitalize on their power-play opportunities. Stars netminder Kintz was able to collect an assist with a pin-point distribution to Ian Weinberg.

"Our team possession has been really good lately, especially on the road. We are making the proper runs, our spacing is good and it helps to have a 'keeper with good feet. The final piece is putting it together in the final third".

The Stars dictated possession, but were unable to put up many goals against a stingy defense and good goalkeeping by California.

On moving forward, "We have seven games left with two on the road and we will be focusing heavily on restarts, man-down, power-play and increasing efficiency in front of the net. We have been concentrating on getting the balls to the right areas and now we need to capitalize when it gets there," coach Howes said. "We control our own destiny at 6-3 and have to handle our business at home in order to achieve our goal".

In Game 1 Friday afternoon the Stars let a 3-1 lead slip away. Getting outscored 5-2 in the second half by California, the Cougars picked up the 6-5 win. Early goals by Todd Stauber and two from Ian Weinberg got the Stars off to a hot start on the road. The Cougars were able to respond with three unanswered to lead 4-3 at halftime.

The second half seemed to be a bit more defensive. Tacoma finally took the lead with two straight goals from Stauber and Howes to take a 5-4 lead in the third. The lead was temporary as California converted on power plays late in the 3rd and another in the 4th to talk a 6-5 lead and that is the way the game ended.

Coach's Comment: "I thought we let a great opportunity slip away tonight. Our defenders Kris (Bowers), Jeff (Bader), Brayton (Knapp), Daniel (Scott), Steve (Mohn) and Vitali (Bulala) all played very good, unfortunately the Cougars capitalized on a couple of mistakes in the back. We also didn't finish some early chances that came back to bite us. Our man-down was not good enough and ultimately that was the difference in the game. It is my responsibility to make sure we are doing the right things, so I will watch some film, make adjustments and fix what needs to be fixed. Sometimes it's just as simple as changing some of the pieces."

Saturday night was another defensive battle between the west coast rivals.

Tacoma came out early and was dictating tempo with possession. Stars Player/Coach Greg Howes scored a crafty left footed goal in the first quarter but the Stars could not muster anymore goals and were down 2-1 at halftime. California took a two goal lead when Antonio Sutton scored a power play goal. The Tacoma offense finally found it grove in the third and fourth quarters with five unanswered goals to take a 6-3 lead.

Weinberg found the net on an assist by Mark Lee to cut the deficit to 3-2 . Howes scored a toe poke power play goal from Todd Stauber to tie it, 3-3. Target player Micah Wentzel then found defender Brayton Knapp with a classic ball off the boards right into his path to give Tacoma a 4-3 lead. Howes then dispossessed a Cougar defender and found himself 1 v 1 with the 'keeper to make it 5-3. Defender Daniel Scott finished the scoring barrage with a right foot bomb from the left side that found the upper corner for a three goal lead.

The Cougars closed the gap to one until Micah Wentzel scored vs. the 6th attacker to seal the road win for the Stars. The win puts the Stars at 6-3 and the Cougars fall to 2-8.

Coach's Comments: "It was a great team win today, with the let down yesterday and down 3-1 on the road, it is a great win. Uncle "Mo"mentum got onto our bench and we rode him out for a bit. Sometimes as a coach you don't have to say anything, you just let the guys run with it. We talked about defenders picking the right times to attack and they got two huge goals for us.

"We talked about Target players being strong and unpredictable and they were big for us tonight with their hands in five of the seven goals.

"We talked about playing good defense and keeping possession and everyone did that tonight.

"We talked about Chris making routine saves and a couple "big time" saves and he did that for us tonight.

"We talked about staying together for 60 minutes and not using useless energy and we did that. It feels good when you talk with a group of young men and then you get to go out with them and watch them execute exactly what you talk about."

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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 19, 2011


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