Record crowd sees Tropics hold off Sonora, 8-6; Guilherme, Gonzaga, Tavernese get two each

LAKELAND, Fla – Joey Tavernese, scored twice as did Guilherme and Lucio Gonzaga, to help the Florida Tropics hold off a determine Soles de Sonora squad, 8-6, in a Major Arena Soccer League Game Saturday at the RP Funding Center.

Florida roared to an early 4-0 lead midway through the second quarter, but Sonora twice battled back to within one goal in the second half before falling short. The Tropics improved to 15-2, first in the Eastern Conference, while Sonora dropped to 9-10, fourth in the west.

The Tropics drew a franchise record 4,318 fans the RP Funding Center, the second time this year they have eclipsed the 4,000 fan mark. The win dropped Florida's magic number to secure its first ever playoff spot to two.

Tavernese also finished with two assists for a f our-point night, while Ricardo Carvalho and Lucas Montelares each had a goal and an assist. Daniel Gonzalez had the hat trick for Sonora, while Manuel Aragon added a pair.

Hugo Silva improved to 10-0 in goal, and continues to head the MASL in goals against with a 3.64 average.

Florida will be on the road for the first-time ever to the west coast for a pair of games in Tacoma, with the first matchup against the Stars Thursday night in a 7:35 Pacific Standard Time start, and the second on Sunday, March 1 in a 5:05 PST kick. Both games will be streamed live at masl.tv.