Forward Joey Gjertsen collected two shootout goals, including the game-winner, in the Tacoma Stars’ 3-2 victory over the Cedar Rapids Rampage in Major Arena Soccer League play Friday night at the ShoWare Center.
The Stars improved to 8-3, while the Rampage dropped to 8-4.
Tied 2-2 after regulation and an overtime period, the Stars and Rampage were sent to a three-round shootout to determine a winner. After the two clubs tied the first three rounds 1-1, and remained knotted up at 2-2 after the first pair of sudden-victory rounds, Gjertsen rocketed a goal past Brett Petricek for a Tacoma victory.
Gjertsen and Cairel logged shootout scores for Tacoma, while midfielder Raphael Cox and forward Dan Antoniuk registered goals in regulation. Stars goalkeeper Danny Waltman allowed a season-low two goals while also setting a season-high with 19 saves on 21 shots.
For the second match in a row, Tacoma jumped on the scoreboard in the first minute to take an early lead. Cox secured the ball on a breakaway and slammed home a goal past Petricek to put the Stars on top 1-0.
Both clubs combined to take a total of 17 shots on goal in the first half, however Cox’s early goal would stand as the only score before the break. Petricek and Waltman threw down 16 total saves in the opening half, while the two defenses logged 12 blocks.
With five minutes left on the clock in the third quarter, Rampage forward Tony Walls found himself with a numbers advantage in front of the Stars goal and evened the match with Cedar Rapids first goal of the night. Antoniuk would answer for Tacoma just two minutes later, collecting a bouncing ball in front of the net and hammering it home to push the Stars back in front, 2-1.
Cedar Rapids midfielder Gordy Gurson went to the air early in the final period and connected on a scissor kick for a goal, pulling the Rampage even with the Stars at 2-2. A deluge of shots from both sides didn’t land in the fourth quarter, sending the match to overtime.
The Stars wrap up their five-game homestand next Friday, Jan. 20 with a match against the Turlock Express. First kick is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, group outings, family packs and suite offerings for Tacoma Stars are available now. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars online.
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