This Time, Lazers Build Instead of Blow a Lead, 6-2

The Lazers have displayed their inability to hold a lead several times this season. They lost their last two games in that fashion, including Sunday’s record-setting, four-overtime game against the St. Louis Steamers.

The two teams played again Tuesday night, only this time the Lazers, who had a two-goal lead early in the fourth quarter, were able to build on it rather than lose it, as they rolled over the Steamers, 6-2, before an announced Forum crowd of 3,144.

The four-goal win equaled their biggest margin of victory this season, the other was a 4-1 win over the Steamers.

St. Louis (13-25) is still three games ahead of the Lazers (9-27) in the battle to avoid having the worst record in the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Leading, 3-1, 4:18 into the fourth quarter, the Lazers were by no means in full control of the game, considering past performances.

But after Marcio Leite took his own rebound off the boards and got the ball past St. Louis’ goalkeeper Pat Baker 7:14 into the fourth, things looked to be going their way.

The Steamers pulled Baker in favor of a sixth attacker with 5:20 left, but it was the Lazers who benefited.

Chris Chueden quickly scored two empty-net goals to help ice the victory, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Daryl Doran scored the Steamers’ final goal with 18 seconds left.

“Overall, the team played excellent tonight,” Lazer Coach Keith Tozer said.” The team defense didn’t break down like it has.”

The Lazers held a 2-1 lead at halftime, thanks to a couple of breaks.

Zizinho got credit for the game’s first goal 9:13 into the first quarter when his shot bounced off the boards, deflected off St. Louis midfielder Mark Frederickson and into the net.

Jeff Cacciatore took a center-pass from Sam Bick and tied the game from 15 feet out 1:48 into the second quarter.

But near the end of the first half, Michael Collins took a shot that might have been saved, but the ball bounced off the leg of a St. Louis defender and past Baker.

“Maybe we got some breaks tonight.” Tozer said. “They didn’t go against like they have in the last two games.”

The Lazers next game is Friday against the Wichita Wings in Kansas.