Pair Of Matches In San Diego, Baja Await Stars
TACOMA, Wash. -- The Tacoma Stars (4-1) wrap up an extended stretch of road matches as they travel to take on the San Diego Sockers (4-2) this Friday, Dec. 2 and Atletico Baja (2-2) on Sunday, Dec. 4.
The Stars enter the weekend doubleheader having won each of their last three matches, and at 4-1 (.800) are tied for the second best winning percentage in the Major Arena Soccer League.
Following standout performances against the Dallas Sidekicks and St. Louis Ambush two weeks ago, Stars goalkeeper Danny Waltman and defender Cory Keitz both earned MASL Team of the Week honors for week four, making them Tacoma’s first weekly award winners of the season.
This Friday will mark the first meeting of the season between the Stars and Sockers. The two club’s squared off three times last year, with San Diego taking the series 2-1 on a combined score of 20-14. Sunday’s match will be the Stars first against Baja since joining the MASL.
The Sockers are anchored by forward Kraig Chiles, who leads the club and ranks tied for second in the MASL with 11 goals through six matches. San Diego goalkeeper Chris Toth, who has played in four of the club’s six games, leads the circuit with a .785 save percentage.
Waiting on the back end of the doubleheader is Baja midfielder Christian Gutierrez, who ranks among the league’s top 10 players in points, goals, and points per game - he has accumulated 13 points on nine goals and four assists through Atletico’s four matches.
Tacoma currently leads the MASL Pacific Division by 0.5 games over second place San Diego, a gap that would be widened with a victory on Friday. In three matches against the Sockers last year, Stars midfielder Derek Johnson and forward Micheal Ramos combined to score six points on three goals and three assists.
Live stats for both matches can be found at www.maslsoccer.com, while live online streams will be available through MASLtv. First kick on Friday is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. PT, while Sunday’s match gets underway at 5:05 p.m. PT.
Season ticket packages, group outings, family packs, and suite offerings for the Tacoma Stars 2016-17 season are available now. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars online at www.tacomastars.com. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Stars can be found by following the Stars on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or liking the team on Facebook.