OUTLAWS FALL TO STARS IN DOUBLE GAME WEEKEND

by McKayla Malloy

MESQUITE, Texas (March 20, 2023) –  On Saturday, March 18th, the Mesquite Outlaws lose 1-13 against the Tacoma Stars in Kent, Washington at accesso ShoWare Center.

The first quarter started off with many shots, mostly by the Stars, out shooting the Outlaws 7-3 before a goal was finally scored. In the 10th minute, Jamael Cox scored for the Stars. Cox scored again two minutes later. The quarter ended with two more shots from the Outlaws and a foul by Pablo Da Silva. The  Stars leading into the second quarter 2-0. The second quarter began with two fouls from each team, before a third goal was scored by the Stars in the third minute by Nick Perera, who currently leads the league in points and goals.  A fourth goal was scored for the Stars in the 7th minute by Tyler John. With a little less than a minute left in the half, Sebastian Mendez scored for the Outlaws, his 21st goal of the season. Pablo Da Silva for the Outlaws was issued a blue card for boarding with 49 seconds left in the half. Perera scored his second goal of the night during the powerplay. Da Silva and Fellipe Souza of the Stars were both issued a blue card with half a second left in the second quarter, the Stars going into the second half leading 5-1, and both teams starting with 4v4.


In the third quarter, Michael Ramos scored a powerplay goal for the Stars in the first minute. In the 13th minute, Adrian Correa scored another goal for the Stars. Souza adds another for the Stars 28 seconds later, before less than a minute later, John scoring another. The Outlaws trailing, 1-9. Eddie Na scored the 10th goal for the Stars in the second minute of the fourth quarter. The Stars then replaced goalkeeper Danny Waltman with Mike Arguello. Alex Caceres scored for the Stars in the fourth minute. In the fifth minute, the Outlaws replaced goalkeeper Eduardo “Pollo” Cortes with Juan Vences Lujano.  Cox scored his hattrick goal in the 8th minute. Stephen Gonzales was issued a blue card for boarding, but the Outlaws ultimately killed the penalty. The final goal of the night came from Ramos. The Outlaws losing 1-13. Outlaws were also outshot, only having 12 while the Stars had 29.


Sebastian Mendez scored the lone goal for the Outlaws, his 21st of the season. 


On Sunday, March 19th, Mesquite Outlaws lose 3-6 against the Tacoma Stars in Kent, Washington at accesso ShoWare Center. Stars sweeping the Outlaws this season, but the Outlaws putting up a fight in the final matchup between the teams.


In the 6th minute of the first quarter, the Stars started off the scoring with a goal by Eddie Na. Fellipe Souza was issued a blue card 37 seconds later for the Stars for boarding. Back at even strength, the Outlaws tied up the game with a little over a minute left, goal scored by Emmanuel Aguirre. The first quarter ending 1-1. Philip Lund scored for the Stars in the second minute of the second quarter. The Stars leading 2-1 at the half. Stars outshooting the Outlaws 19-15.


In the third quarter, no goals were scored by either team. Erik Macias for the Outlaws was issued a blue card for tripping in the 12th minute of the third quarter, and Nick Perera was issued a blue card in the 13th minute for reckless tackle. The reckless tackle taking out David Ortiz for the Outlaws, who remained out the rest of the game. In the fourth quarter, Na was issued a blue card for contact above the shoulder/elbow, against Outlaws Captain Pablo Da Silva. Luiz Morales then took many shots before finally sinking in his 20th goal of the season in the fifth minute of the fourth quarter, tying the game 2-2. Perera quickly countered 18 seconds later putting the Stars up once again. Perera got his second goal of the night, 20 seconds after his last goal, Stars up by two. Stephen Gonzales scored his second goal of the season for the Outlaws in the 8th minute, closing the gap to one. With four and a half minutes left in the game, the Outlaws pulled goalkeeper Eduardo “Pollo” Cortes for Erik Macias to come on as 6th attacker. Michael Ramos scored for the Stars, Macias not being able to make the save, putting them up by two once again. Final goal of the night was a hattrick goal for Perera, during another empty net. Sebastian Mendez for the Outlaws took two final shots, but ultimately the Outlaws lost 3-6.


Luiz Morales scored his 20th goal of the season, just one behind the Sebastian Mendes, who is the currently leading goal scorer for the Outlaws. The Outlaws are now 11-7-2, and the Stars are now 10-9-1.


The next game for the Outlaws is March 25th, against the Baltimore Blast at the Mesquite Arena in Mesquite, Texas. Kickoff for the game is at 7:05 pm CDT. Games can be viewed live on the MASL Twitch channel, and game updates will be given on all Mesquite Outlaws social media accounts (@mesquiteoutlaws). Tickets for upcoming home games can be purchased by going to www.MesquiteOutlaws.com/tickets.