The Tacoma Stars started the weekend with a 9-5 record and two incredibly important road match ups with the (9-4) San Diego Sockers, and the (6-9) Dallas Sidekicks. The Stars did not fare well on either night.
On Friday, February 3rd, the Stars were in San Diego to take on the Sockers. Stars Defender Troy Peterson opened the scoring on an even strength goal. Forward Alex Megson got credit for the assist.
San Diego showed why they are 14-time champions in this sport, firing off seven consecutive goals, over the second, third, and fourth quarters, before Tacoma scored again, thanks to defender Chase Hansen’s even strength goal. Hansen’s effort went unassisted.
Two more San Diego goals came either side of Nick Cashmere’s second MASL goal. Captain Joey Gjertsen assisted Cashmere’s effort. The match finished with a final score of 9-3, and the loss would stretch the San Diego divisional lead to a game and a half.
The Stars, now 9-6, traveled to face a Dallas side hoping to get their season back on track.
On Saturday evening Dallas struck first, scoring four goals across the first two quarters. The defense was stingy as Tacoma went scoreless during that stretch.
Tacoma attempted a second half comeback, scoring once in the third and twice in the fourth. Evan McNeley provided the first goal in the third. It was an unassisted effort on a power play.
In the fourth, Mike Ramos would pull Tacoma even closer with his eleventh goal of the season. By this time, the Stars had pulled goalkeeper Danny Waltman for an extra attacker.
Tacoma would continue to press, with Alex Megson finding the final goal of the evening, a solo effort that would see the result settle at 4-3.
Tacoma did not lose any ground to San Diego as the Sockers lost to Soles de Sonora, who clinched a playoff spot with the win. Tacoma is a game and a half back, with four games remaining.
Currently holding down the second playoff spot, the Stars are in a dogfight with the third place Ontario Fury, currently 7-7 on the season. The top two sides in the division will advance to the playoffs. The two sides meet in Ontario on the 19th of February.
Looking ahead to the next match, the Stars will be at home vs the (1-16) St. Louis Ambush on February 12th. Kickoff is set for 3:05 pm. The Stars will be wearing special jerseys for the game in honor of military appreciation night.
It was announced on Thursday that MLS Cup winning head coach and former Tacoma Stars player Brian Schmetzer will be taking the ceremonial first kick on Sunday.
Join us for Sounder at Heart night at the Stars
Friday Feb 24th, 7:35 kick off against the Chicago Mustangs
- 2 for 1 drinks all night at the ShoWare Center
- $16 ticket gets a hat and reserved seat ticket (a $40 value)
- SaH Group Photo at 6:15 PM on the field
- A player will join our section after the game, giving his jersey to a lucky fan