Lazers Lose Chance to Move Ahead, 7-6

The Los Angeles Lazers lost an opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Western Division Thursday night when they were beaten, 7-6, at the Forum by the Minnesota Strikers.

The loss, combined with the Sockers’ 6-3 defeat by the Baltimore Blast at San Diego, leaves the Lazers and Sockers tied for first in the division, each with a 14-6 record.

A four-goal performance by Minnesota forward Jan Goosens was the difference in the game.

Goosens put the Strikers in front early when he scored his 22nd goal of the season just 3:32 into the game. Minnesota increased its lead to 2-0 nine minutes later on a goal by Allan Willy.

The Lazers came back to tie the score at 2-2 on goals by Stuart Lee, his 19th of the season, and Zoran Savic, but Goosens again put the Strikers in front with his second goal of the night at 11:23 of the second period.

After the Lazers again had tied the score on Kle Kooiman’s goal just 14 seconds later, making it 3-3 at halftime, Goosens picked up two more goals in the third period.

Los Angeles outshot Minnesota, 30-29, with Lazer goalie Mike Mahoney and his Striker counterpart Tino Lettieri each making 16 saves.

Earlier in the day, the Lazers announced the signing of Argentine defender Carlos Hector Cordoba, 26, to a contract for the remainder of the MISL season. Cordoba is the former captain of the Argentine club team Boca Juniors.