UTICA CITY'S LATE SURGE NOT ENOUGH TO MATCH TACOMA

Utica City FC showed plenty of fight late, but a dominant middle stretch by the Tacoma Stars proved too much to overcome as the Stars held on for an 8–6 win in MASL action.

The match started fast, with Tacoma opening the scoring just 1:04 in when Nani Mendoza finished a chance off a Logan Jones assist. UCFC answered quickly, as Emmanuel Belliard tied it at 2:10 after a feed from Kyle Gehnrich. From there, however, Tacoma began to take control. Yahir Romero restored the Stars’ lead late in the first, and Alex Caceres and Cristian Fernandes added goals early and midway through the second quarter to push the advantage to 4–1. The Stars kept pouring it on in the third period, with Douglas Lima, Tyler John, and Kyle Rivers all finding the back of the net to build a commanding 7–1 lead before Barbaro Shelier finally pulled one back for Utica late in the third.

Tacoma struck again just 17 seconds into the fourth when Khai Brisco made it 8–2, but that’s when UCFC made a dramatic push using the six-attacker. Meny Silva started the rally at 6:13, followed by Shelier’s second of the night, a Sergio Pinal finish, and then a Willie Spurr goal in the final minute to cut the deficit to 8–6. Despite the furious comeback attempt, the early hole was too deep, and Tacoma was able to see out the final seconds.

Shelier led Utica with two goals, while Silva, Pinal, and Spurr each chipped in during the late surge. For Tacoma, Alex Caceres and Tyler John both had strong nights, contributing goals and assists as the Stars built the cushion that ultimately secured the victory.