STARS SELECT THREE LOCAL PLAYERS IN MASL COLLEGE DRAFT
TACOMA, WA. – The Tacoma Stars had the second pick in the three-round Major Arena Soccer League College Draft held today with the 14 member clubs participating via Zoom. This was the second draft held this year following the pre-season Player Combine and Draft held in Dallas and Mesquite, Texas in August in what was dubbed MASL Week.
Each team had three selections and the first two rounds were territorial rounds which limited a team’s selection to locally born or living players or players from a college close to the team which is drafting. Tacoma is one of the few MASL teams to not have another team in the same region, though other teams could draft a player from the Northwest if they are currently playing at a college in their region.
In the territorial rounds, the Stars tapped a pair of Pacific Lutheran University Lutes in midfielders Chris Lozano (2nd overall pick) and Craig Johnson (16th overall pick). With their third selection, the Stars selected defender Zane Baumgardt of the Cal-State Dominguez Hills Toros.
Lozano, an Acapulco, Mexico native, played high school soccer at Tahoma in Tacoma where his squad won the league title as a sophomore. After two seasons under head coach Steve Mohn at Highline Community College, Lozano transferred to PLU where he was named the 2021 NWC Offensive Player of the Year and selected to the First Team All-NWC as a sophomore. His senior season saw him named to the First Team All-NWC squad again as he scored 10 goals to go with three assists in 21 games for the Lutes.
Johnson, a two-year team captain at Puyallup High School, helped his team win the WIAA 4A State Championship as a junior, achieving First Team All-State honors along the way. The PLU junior was named to the First Team All-NWC both as a sophomore and junior, scoring 21 goals and 14 assists in 42 games over those two seasons.
Baumgardt, a Federal Way native, was a two-time MVP for the Federal Way High School team and helped the Eagles accomplish their first undefeated season in school history. After High school, he was on a Highline Community College team that won an NWAC Championship and landed him on the NWAC All-Star team. As a sophomore at Cal-State Dominguez Hills, Baumgardt started 13 of the 14 games he played in, scoring three goals, one of which was a game-winner for the Toros.
Nick Perera, who, along with Adam Becker handled the draft for the Stars, pointed out that none of these three draft choices are strangers to the Tacoma club. “Chris, Craig, and Zane are players who have been around the club in some way or form for some time. They understand our culture and the DNA of this organization, and we are looking forward to having them be a part of our club now and for the coming years,” said Perera.
Having been selected by the Stars, Tacoma maintains the rights to these three players until December 1, 2023.
The Stars return to the accesso ShoWare Center for two games against the Harrisburg Heat on January 14 and 15. Join us on the 14th for our Women’s Appreciation Game with special appearances by OL Reign players and an early game featuring the Tacoma Galaxy. The 15th is Kid’s Day so don’t miss out and get your tickets to both games at tacomastars.showare.com today.
Select suites are still available for some games. Enjoy a Stars game with your family and friends in your own private suite! For more information call 1-844-STARS-84 today.
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