The Tacoma Stars return to action on Friday to host the first-place San Diego Sockers at the accesso ShoWare Center.
Kickoff between the longtime West Coast rivals is 7:35 p.m.
Tacoma enters the game tied for second place in the Major Arena Soccer League’s Pacific Division at 2-2, two games behind the 4-0 Sockers. The Stars are coming off an 8-5 home win over the Turlock Express before the Thanksgiving break, with both of their wins this season at the expense of Express.
Joey Gjertsen, Alex Megson and Philip Lund have each scored four goals for the Stars this season, with Gjertsen leading the team in points with seven, adding two assists to his total. Danny Waltman has started all four games in goal and has now made 46 straight starts over the past three seasons for the Stars.
The Stars and Sockers have already met once this season, with Tacoma dropping an 8-3 decision in San Diego on November 12th. Gjertsen, Lund and Evan McNeley each scored in a game that stayed close until the Sockers put their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter and pulled away. Kraig Chiles scored four times to lead San Diego to victory.
San Diego is led by forward Chiles, who has scored 10 goals this season and has amassed 294 goals since 2010 with the Sockers. They also feature two of the best goalkeepers in the league with Boris Pardo and Chris Toth between the pipes. Toth is coming off of a shutout of the Ontario Fury in his last game on November 19th.
The Sockers hold an 8-2 advantage over the Stars over the past two seasons, but five of those games were decided by just one goal including an 8-7 double overtime victory for San Diego in leg one of the 2016 MASL playoffs. Each of the Stars two wins have come at the ShoWare Center.
It’s 2-for-1 Beer Night again at the ShoWare Center on Friday night. Tickets are available by calling 1-844-STARS-84 or visiting the Stars online.
Stay up to date with the Stars by following them on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or liking the team on Facebook.
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