STARS WELCOME BLAST FOR FIRST MASL VISIT

by Pete Richmire

The Tacoma Stars (3-8-1) are set to face the Baltimore Blast (7-4) for the first time in their MASL history on Saturday, February 19 at 7:05 pm. The Stars are 0-1 against East Division teams this season. Following Saturday’s game, the Stars will have just four regular-season home games remaining. The Stars will be looking to snap their current three-game skid, while the Blast comes in having won their last three contests. Tickets for tonight, and remaining home games are available at TICKETS.

The Stars are paced offensively by Nick Perera’s 25 points (13G-12A). Perera has had a huge week already, having been named the General Manager of the NWSL’s OL Reign. Behind Perera in scoring sits Vini Dantas (9G-5A) and Alessandro (10G-3A) as the remaining Stars roster members with double-digit production.

Expected to be in uniform tonight is the newly signed Miguel Ibarra. Ibarra is an MLS veteran with time spent with Seattle Sounders FC and Minnesota United. In addition, Ibarra joined the USMNT for a friendly against Ecuador.

In goal, Danny Waltman has started all 12 games for the Stars and brings a 3-8-1 record to the game to go with a goals-against-average of 7.12 and save percentage of .617. His 121 saves rank him 5th in the league in that category. For Baltimore, William Vanzela has occupied the most minutes in goal and is 4-4 with a 5.44GAA and .664 sv%.

On offense, Baltimore has five players with 10+ points this season topped by Lucas Roque’s 26 points (14G-12A). Rounding out their top scorers are Jonatas Melo (12G-7A), Tony Donatelli (11G-4A), Max Ferdinand (3G-8A), and Jamie Thomas (6G-4A).

After this game, the Stars will go on the road for a pair of games in Chihuahua, Mexico next week before returning home to face the Ontario Fury on March 4 and 5 at the accesso ShoWare Center.