Empire Suffers Heartbreak in 7-6 Loss at Tacoma

January 26, 2024 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Empire Strykers News Release

Ontario, Calif. – The Empire Strykers played arguably their best game of the 2023-24 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) campaign on Thursday evening, only to fall in dramatic fashion to hosts Tacoma Stars. Holding the lead late in the closing quarter, Head Coach Paul Wright’s men conceded two goals in quick succession to suffer their fourth consecutive defeat, which sees them drop to 2-9-0 (wins-losses-overtime/shootout losses) on the season.

While Strykers Marco Fabián and Justin Stinson enjoyed standout attacking displays, each bagging a hat-trick and an assist, former Empire goalkeeper Chris Toth powered the Tacoma win with a number of key saves. Toth’s teammates Nick Perera and Jamael Cox led their side’s attack with three points apiece.

After some impressive possession play by Empire in the opening stages, the Southern Californians took the lead when Stinson drove a low shot inside the right post. Finding themselves defending a power play not long thereafter, Stinson and company were lucky not to concede the equalizer when an unmarked Cory Keitz sent his seemingly simple finish over the bar. The Stars did capitalize on the man advantage moments later, Cox making it 1-1.

The Strykers subsequently reclaimed the lead, Mexican star Fabián firing home on a Stinson helper, but the home side again showed a strong response and nearly reaped the reward. Empire ‘keeper Brandon Gomez rushed off his line and threw himself into the attempted finish by Cox, denying the midfielder his second. Cox would not be denied on a subsequent opportunity, converting an assist from Alex Caceres for a 2-2 score line.

If not for a point-blank block by Toth against Fabián, Empire could have taken the lead yet again. The visitors came even closer to netting their third when forward Abdul Mansaray rounded Toth on a breakaway but drifted too far wide for a shot into the open goal.

The Strykers were punished for the squandered looks in the second period, indoor legend Perera giving Tacoma its first lead on a gorgeous interplay with Cox. However, it would soon be 3-3, as Stinson netted courtesy of a beautiful solo effort and a low drive inside the left upright. Empire then had a pair of golden chances denied by Toth. First, the 34-year-old backstop confronted Harold Hanson one on one, managing to get a touch on the ball and prevent the go-ahead goal. Then, he produced an outstanding foot save to…