The Tacoma Stars wrap up their regular season schedule with a home match against the San Diego Sockers on Saturday at the ShoWare Center.
The Stars (10-9) enter the weekend aiming for the second and final playoff spot available out of the Major Arena Soccer League’s Pacific Division. Tacoma can secure its second consecutive postseason berth with a win against San Diego (13-6) and an Ontario Fury loss.
Tacoma has posted a record of 8-1 at home this season, with the lone blemish being a 9-6 loss to the Chicago Mustangs last weekend. While on home turf the Stars have recorded an average of 7.1 goals per match, nearly a 34 percent increase over their goal production on the road, where the club averages 4.7 goals per contest.
San Diego and Tacoma have already squared off three times this season, with the Sockers holding a 2-1 series advantage. The Stars’ victory came at home in mid-December, an 8-7 decision in which midfielder Derek Johnson and forward Alex Megson each recorded four points.
Four Stars players have posted point totals north of 20 this season, led by 28 points contributed by Megson, who has accumulated 12 goals and 16 assists. Goalkeeper Danny Waltman sports more than 1,150 minutes in goal this year, while racking up 247 saves and a .682 save percentage.
The Sockers, winners of three of their last four matches, have already secured this season’s Pacific Division crown. Forward Kraig Chiles leads the San Diego offense with 51 points, and ranks among the league’s top six players in points, goals, points per game, and power play goals. Behind the defensive line, Sockers goalkeeper Chris Toth sports an MASL-best .816 save percentage, and ranks second on the circuit with a 3.73 goals against average mark.
As part of the festivities before and during the match, the Stars will honor former franchise legends from the club’s original run in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1983-92.
Live stats for the match can be found at maslsoccer.com, while a live online broadcast will be available through MASLtv. First kick is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Stars ticket information can be found at tacomastars.com.
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