Stars, Sockers to clash in divisional match | MASL

December 16, 2016 2:30 pm

The Tacoma Stars prepare to host their Major Arena Soccer League Pacific Division rivals, the San Diego Sockers at the ShoWare Center for the first time this season on Sunday.

The Stars are 5-3 on the season, the Sockers 6-2.

Sockers forward Kraig Chiles logged four goals as San Diego earned a 5-3 victory over Tacoma in the two club’s only prior match this season. During the 2015-16 season, Tacoma’s first full campaign in the MASL, the Stars matched up against the Sockers three times in the regular season and twice in the playoffs – San Diego would win four of the five matches.

After posting a season-high four points in the Stars’ 9-8 victory over the Ontario Fury last weekend, forward Dan Antoniuk moved into first place on the club with 14 points. Midfielder Micheal Ramos – who is tied with Antoniuk at seven goals for the team lead – has accumulated 13 points through the first eight matches of the year.

Tacoma goalkeeper Danny Waltman’s 13-save performance against Ontario extended his streak of double-digit save totals to five consecutive matches. The MASL November Goalkeeper of the Month has posted 10-plus saves in six-of-eight matches this season.

Chiles leads the Sockers’ offensive side, with his 17 goals this year ranking tied for third in the league. With 298 career goals, Chiles enters the match against the Stars one goal shy of breaking the franchise career goals record, set by Branko Segota. San Diego goalkeeper Chris Toth leads the circuit with a .807 save percentage, and ranks second in the MASL allowing 3.88 goals per match.

A win on Sunday would give the Sockers a comfortable two-game lead in the Pacific Division, while a Stars’ fourth straight home win would tie the two club’s atop the division with just over half of the season left to play out.

Live stats for the match can be found at maslsoccer.com, while a live online stream will be available through MASLtv. First kick is scheduled for 3:05 p.m..

Season ticket packages, group outings, family packs and suite offerings for the Stars 2016-17 season are available. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars online at tacomastars.com.