STARS HOST SOCKERS THURSDAY TO OPEN PLAYOFFS

Tacoma, WA- The Tacoma Stars (11-11) will kick off the 2017-18 MASL Ron Newman Cup Playoffs Thursday March 8 as they host the Pacific Division champion San Diego Sockers (193). Kick-off is scheduled for 7:35 pm in this first leg of the home and home series. Game two will take place in San Diego Saturday March 10 and should a tie-breaker be needed, the teams will play a mini-game immediately after game two.

The Stars will be facing the MASL’s top two goalkeepers statistically in Boris Pardo and Chris Toth this series and an offense which averaged 7.5 goals per game with a +82 goal differential on the season. Kraig Chiles topped the team in scoring with 56 points (38G-18A) while Brandon Escoto (33), Luan Oliveira (30), Matt Clare (28), and Erick Tovar (26) all had 25-plus points this year. San Diego comes in on a seven-game winning streak.

Tacoma has a three-game win streak of their own and a tough defense that can slow down potent offenses. Danny Waltman is fourth in the MASL in wins with 11 in goal for Tacoma with Troy Peterson leading the team with 17 blocks. Offensively, the Stars are led by Nick Perera who has 24 goals and 12 assists to top the team with 36 points. Taylor Walter Bond (24), Raphael Cox (22), and Philip Lund (20) join Perera as 20-plus point scorers for Tacoma this season.

San Diego swept the four game season series with Tacoma including 4-3 and 10-3 wins at the Accesso ShoWare Center. Both games in San Diego were 8-3 wins for the Sockers.

Tickets for the playoff game are on sale and you can call 1-800-STARS-84 or go to www.tacomastars.com. The Stars are in the playoffs and you won’t want to miss a minute of the action. Get your tickets now!

Tacoma Stars games are streamed live on www.masl.tv with live stats available at www.maslsoccer.com.

Stay up to date with the Stars by following them on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or liking the team on Facebook (FB.com/TacomaStars).