By FRANCO PANIZO
FC Edmonton looked ready to give the San Antonio Scorpions some payback after losing to the Texas club in Week 7, but the Scorpions refused to lose.
San Antonio extended its unbeaten streak to six games on Sunday afternoon, fighting back from two goals down to grab a 2-2 draw with the Eddies. The equalizing goal came courtesy of Aaron Pitchkolan, who scored in the 83rd minute to assure the Scorpions would get a result in the game played in front of 1,515 fans at Clarke Stadium.
Yashir Pinto and Shaun Saiko each scored as the hosts jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Josue Soto trimmed the deficit with a goal shortly after the hour mark. Pitchkolan then came to the rescue for the third-place Scorpions when he found the back of the net in the 83rd minute.
Here is a look back at the rest of the Week 8 action in NASL:
STRIKERS' WINLESS STREAK CONTINUES AFTER TIE WITH SILVERBACKS
It has now been over a month since the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers have tasted victory in a league game. The Strikers' winless streak extended to five matches on Saturday, as they settled for a 1-1 draw with the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday night. Mark Anderson scored early in the second half for Ft. Lauderdale as 2,404 spectators looked on at Lockhart Stadium, but league-leading scorer Reinaldo Navia found an equalizer for Atlanta.
ROWDIES, STARS PLAY TO SCORELESS DRAW
Minnesota Stars FC missed a prime opprotunity to jump atop the league standings on Friday night, playing to a scoreless draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in front of a crowd of 3,182 at Al Lang Stadium. Tampa Bay outshot the visitors in the game, 12-8, but neither goalkeeper was beaten. Rowdies netminder Jeff Attinella made one save in the game, while Stars goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt made four.
NASL Standings
1. Puerto Rico Islanders (5-1-2, 17 points, +11 GD)
2. Minnesota Stars FC (4-0-4, 16 points, +6 GD)
3. San Antonio Scorpions (4-1-3, 15 points, +2 GD)
4. Tampa Bay Rowdies (3-3-3, 12 points, 0 GD)
5. Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (2-3-4, 10 points, -4 GD)
6. FC Edmonton (2-4-2, 8 points, 0 GD)
7. Carolina RailHawks (0-4-5, 5 points, -7 GD)
8. Atlanta Silverbacks (0-4-5, 5 points, -8 GD)
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Think it is only a matter of time before San Antonio jumps to the top of the league? Surprised by the Strikers' struggles? Do you see Minnesota surpassing the Puerto Rico Islanders in the standings soon?
Share your thoughts below.