Lazers Lose, 9-2, as Zungul Scores 5 Tacoma Goals

The Lazers, eliminated from playoff contention last Saturday when they lost to Chicago, had little to lose Tuesday night in their Major Indoor Soccer League game against the Tacoma Stars--except perhaps dignity, already in short supply, and job security.

All that went out the window, too, as Steve Zungul had five goals and three assists to lead the Stars to a playoff-clinching 9-2 victory before a crowd of 3,388 at the Forum.

Zungul, the league’s leading scorer, was virtually unstoppable as he scored twice in the second quarter, twice in the third and once in the fourth.

The Lazers (12-31) received meaningless goals in the third quarter from forward Willie Molano and midfielder Beto but were unable to do much else.

Tacoma (21-24) also got goals by Preki, who had the first and last of the game, Roy Wegerle and David Norman.

In the scoreless first quarter, both teams did well in their own zones breaking up the opposing team’s plays, and it looked as if the Lazers might keep it close.

Tacoma turned things its way, however, as Preki scored 37 seconds into the second quarter on a 10-foot blast off an assist by Zungul. Less than a minute later, Zungul scored on a five-foot tap-in past an off-balance Tim Harris to increase the lead to 2-0.