KENT, WA and CHIHUAHUA, MEX–The Tacoma Stars took Game 1 of their series against the Chihuahua Savage in the Major Arena Soccer League Western Conference semifinals, but then the Savage took Game 2 and the 15-minute mini game to win the series, 2 games to 1.
Tacoma took Game 1 on Friday, 6-5, coming from behind late. The Stars were down 5-4 with two minutes to go in regulation before goals by Nani Mendoza and Stefan Mijatovic 29 seconds apart put Tacoma ahead to stay and take Game 1. Game 2 had a different story on Sunday as Chihuahua went out to a 5-0 advantage into the third quarter. The Stars would not score until Justin Stinson did nine minutes into the third quarter. The Savage would go on to win the second game, 7-4, forcing a 15-minute mini game to determine the series.
Once again, Chihuahua went off to a 5-0 lead with five different Savage players scoring and never looked back as they advanced to the Western Conference final against either San Diego Sockers or the Texas Outlaws. The Outlaws took Game 1, 6-4, with Game 2 taking place Monday.
Photo: Dave Kallman – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee Wave stunned previously unbeaten Monterrey Flash in Game 2, 5-4, and then the mini game, 2-1, in overtime. Monterrey had ran the table in the regular season (24-0-0) and then took Game 1 in Milwaukee, 8-7 in overtime. The Wave will take on either Utica City or Kansas City Comets in the conference final. Game 1 takes place Monday in Kansas City and Game 2 the following Monday in Utica, NY. Both games can been seen on the MASL’s Twitch channel.
Yuriy Tsupruk has photos from Game 1 in Tacoma. You can view a sample below and more by clicking on the link to his gallery.
