Lazers Take an Early Lead in Tacoma, but the Stars Fight Back to Win, 5-2

The Lazers lost their sixth consecutive Major Indoor Soccer League game Saturday night when they were beaten, 5-2, by the Tacoma Stars in front of 12,415 fans at the Tacoma Dome.

The victory improved the Stars’ record to 9-2, best in the MISL, while the Lazers fell to 3-6.

After taking an early lead on Darko Birjukov’s goal 9:04 into the first period, the Lazers allowed Tacoma to score five in a row.

A power-play goal by Gary Heale 12:25 into opening period tied the score, with Heale’s shot accidentally being deflected past Lazer goalie David Brcic by defender Erhardt Kapp.

The Stars took the lead on Steve Zungul’s goal 8:44 into the second period and, after a scoreless third period, Tacoma put the game away in the final period on goals by Neil Megson 55 seconds into the quarter, Heale at 2:20 and Preki at 7:32.

After Preki’s goal, Lazer Coach Peter Wall replaced Brcic in the nets with former UCLA star Tim Harris, who is returning from an injury. Harris shut out the Stars the rest of the way.

Paul Kitson scored the final goal for the Lazers, who play host to the Dallas Sidekicks today at 6 p.m. at the Forum.

Although Poli Garcia is back in the lineup, the Lazers continue to struggle without the services of Beto, Willie Molano and Zizinho.