Lazers Back Up Tozer and Beat Stars, 8-1
Lazer Coach Keith Tozer said his team was finally ready for the Tacoma Stars, one of the few teams it had been unable to figure out this season.
“We’ve proven that we can beat any team in the league and now we want Tacoma. We’re ready,” Tozer said after the Lazers defeated the Minnesota Strikers Friday night.
Not only did the Lazers back up Tozer’s statement, but they did it convincingly Saturday night, beating the Stars, 8-1, before a Forum crowd of 6,322.
The win was only their second in eight games against the Stars, but as the playoffs draw near the Lazers’ offense is in full gear--they have scored 25 goals in their last 3 games.
With the Lazers leading, 4-0, and 9:19 remaining in the game, Tacoma Coach Jim McAlister pulled goalkeeper Mike Dowler in favor of a sixth attacker. But the Stars still were unable to score, while the Lazers added four more goals--including Thompson Usiyan’s third of the game--to put the game out of reach.
Tacoma’s Ricky Davis scored with a little more than 2:00 left to spoil Lazer goalkeeper A J. Lachowecki’s bid for a shutout. Lachowecki, starting in place of David Brcic, made 13 saves in helping to assure the Lazers’ third consecutive victory.
The Lazers (27-24), in a virtual second-place tie with the Kansas City Comets, now need one victory or one Wichita loss to make the playoffs. The Stars (24-26) lead the Wichita Wings by 2 1/2 games in the race for the fourth and final Western Division playoff spot.
Chico Borja began the onslaught, putting the Lazers ahead, 1-0, at 12:24 in the first quarter to keep his point-scoring streak alive at 16 games with his 42nd goal to tie a club record.
Chris Chueden then scored his 22nd goal of the season 12:29 into the second quarter, and two goals by Usiyan, including his 42nd with 16 seconds left, put the Lazers ahead, 4-0, at halftime.
The Stars were unable to create any offense in the first half, taking only 11 shots. They failed to get a decent shot off on a second-period power play, despite leading the Major Indoor Soccer League in scoring with a man advantage.
