Stars Fall Hard to Islanders

The NSC Minnesota Stars played what would have to be called their worst game of the new season on Tuesday night. The Stars lost to Puerto Rico in Bayamon by a score of 3-1.

Both teams started the game battling for possession with neither team seeming to be able to hold on to the ball for more than several passes.

Minnesota drew first blood getting on the scoreboard in the 21st minute of play. The Stars were awarded a free kick which Andrei Gotsmanov directed into the box. Jeff Cosgriff, standing with his back to the goal and only 7 yards out, knocked the ball down and dropped it to Altman who had moved up from his defensive position for the dead-ball situation. Cosgriff stood firm creating a screen and Altman fired into the right side of the net from only 10 yards out.

Minnesota has scored only one of their 4 goals in open play this season. The rest have come on set pieces and all three have had Gotsmanov starting the play.

For the Stars, the goal was one of their last shining moments of the first half. Minnesota would regain possession repeatedly only to lose the ball after lobbing long balls forward that never found their mark.

The Islanders took back control of the game with better possession and in the 34th minute the home side’s hard work and skill paid off with a Nicholas Addlery goal in the 34th minute. Addlery out-jumped Altman and nodded a cross past Stars goalkeeper Joe Warren. The Minnesota goalkeeper had made several outstanding saves in the first half and cut off dangerous crosses.

Just before the 40 minute mark Jonathan Fana put the Islanders up 2-1. It would be the first of a brace for the forward.

Devin Del Do broke though the Islanders defense 13 minutes into the second half. He took a bouncing ball and tried to chip goalkeeper Ray Burse. But Del Do didn’t get enough on his lob and Burse stretched high to snag the ball.

In the 77th minute Fana put the final nail in the coffin for the Stars. In typical Islanders fashion David Foley counter attacked and laid a hard cross into the box that found Fana making a near post run. His touch gave the ball the slightest left deflection at the goal and nutmegged a helpless Warren, putting the game out of reach for the Stars.

The Stars return home after 3 weeks of away games to begin a four-game home stand this weekend. The Stars will take on the Carolina RailHawks Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn. for their home opener. Tickets are available by calling (763) 792-7355 or visiting NSCMinnesota.com.

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