Stars’ comeback attempt falls short in 4-3 loss to Sidekicks | MASL

The Tacoma Stars mounted a second-half comeback attempt that fell just short in a 4-3 loss to the Dallas Sidekicks on Saturday night at the Allen Event Center in Texas.

The Stars dropped to 9-7 in Major Arena Soccer League play.

It was a tale of two halves, as the Sidekicks (7-9) outscored the Stars 4-0 in the first half and hung on for the victory while being outscored by Tacoma 3-0 in the second half.

The Stars’ defense pitched a second-half shutout to keep Tacoma in the game, while the offense managed just three goals for the second match in a row. Defender Evan McNeley, midfielder Micheal Ramos, and forward Alex Megson scored for the Stars on a grouping of unassisted goals.

Dallas jumped out to a 3-0 lead on a trio of goals in the first quarter. VcMor Eligwe lit up the scoreboard first just four minutes into the match, and Clint Ritter tacked on another score four minutes later. Eligwe’s second goal of the period, and unassisted score, rounded out the first quarter.

Sidekicks midfielder Nestor Hernandez scored the only goal of the second quarter just over four and a half minutes into the frame. The score would hold for the remainder of the half, sending Dallas into the break with a 4-0 lead over Tacoma.

McNeley got the Stars on the board in the middle of the third quarter with a power play score, cutting the Sidekicks to 4-1. Tacoma’s comeback attempt continued in the fourth quarter as Ramos gunned in a goal to bring the deficit to two goals. The Stars brought on a sixth attacker and managed one final breath in a goal from Megson with under a minute left to play.

The Stars return home to the ShoWare Center to host the St. Louis Ambush on Sunday, Feb. 12 for Military Appreciation Night. First kick is scheduled for 3:05 p.m..

Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, group outings, family packs and suite offerings for the Stars are available. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars online.