January 29, 2024 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Empire Strykers News Release
Ontario, Calif. – Having held a four-goal lead in the third quarter of their clash with the visiting St. Louis Ambush on Sunday evening, the Empire Strykers found themselves down a goal with seconds left to play but battled back for a dramatic 8-7 overtime victory. The win sees the Southern Californians improve to 3-9-0 (wins/losses/overtime/shootout losses) on their Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) campaign.
Until Momo Gueye’s very late equalizer, the events of the fourth period were remarkably similar to those that transpired late in Thursday’s 6-7 loss at Tacoma. And as in the midweek clash, Marco Fabián and Justin Stinson shined with three-point performances. However, this time, Head Coach Paul Wright’s men were all smiles after the final whistle, Fabián having bagged the golden goal for a much-needed morale boost.
The visitors sent a warning shot Empire’s way early in the opening quarter. Making his first ever MASL start, 22-year-old goalkeeper Brian Orozco rushed off his line and produced an outstanding kick-save to deny wide-open Ambush forward Billy Stimac. However, Orozco was left without a chance moments later, as St. Louis’ Marcel Berry picked out VcMor Eligwe for an easy tap-in. The Strykers had a quality look at the other end, but Marco’s Fabián’s trademark right-footed bullet from outside the box was parried over by netminder Paulo Nascimento.
Empire wasted little time in drawing level inside the second quarter, Gueye converting a Stinson helper to make it 1-1. Visibly energized by the tally, the hosts continued to press and reaped the reward when Stinson released Gerardo Jurado on the left and the midfielder cut to his right before firing inside the near post for his side’s first lead. Recent Strykers signing Miguel Ponce subsequently picked a special way to score his first ever goal in professional indoor soccer. The former El Tri and Chivas de Guadalajara man positioned himself on the goal-line and nodded home Stinson’s pinpoint cross for a 3-1 Empire advantage.
The fans at Toyota Arena experienced a déjà vu when Strykers backstop Orozco produced another quality kick-save to deny the unmarked Stimac. Orozco would then find himself helpless on the Ambush’s next quality look, Richard Schmermund finishing from Ado Jahic to cut his team’s deficit to 3-2. Next came the game’s most spectacular netter, Fabián going airborne on the left for an acrobatic…