STARS KICK OFF SEASON SATURDAY VS SOCKERS

TACOMA, WA. – The Stars will kick off their 2021-22 MASL schedule on Saturday as they welcome the defending Ron Newman Cup Champion San Diego Sockers to the accesso ShoWare Center. Kick off is set for 7:05 pm.

This will be the first time the Stars have played a home game since March 1, 2020, when the remaining games of the regular-season and post-season were cancelled due to the pandemic. For the 2021 season, the Stars were one of seven teams to compete in an abbreviated schedule, though they had to play every game on the road.

With players on loan to the Stars last season returned to their organizations, the team taking the field on Saturday will look very similar to the 2019-20 squad with a few changes. First, long-time member of the Stars organization Mike Jennings will take the helm as head coach. He becomes the third head coach in MASL franchise history, following Darren Sawatzky and Nick Perera. Perera will remain a solid leader and offensive threat for Tacoma.

Along with Perera, most of Tacoma’s leading scorers will return such as Mike Ramos, Vini Dantas, Alex Caceres, Philip Lund, Cory Keitz, and Jamael Cox. Ty Hall, who played a handful of games for the Stars in his rookie season returns to the team this season.

Joining Danny Waltman and Mike Arguello on the goalkeeping team this season will be Nate Salveson, anchoring a defense with most of last season and 2019-20’s cast returning.

The Sockers will begin their title defense here on Saturday with several key changes to their squad. Gone back to his original team is goalkeeper William Vanzela. Also departed from last season’s team are Ben Ramin, Gordy Gurson, Slavisa Ubiparipovic, and Marcio Leite.

The core of the team will be here Saturday though, as returning are Boris Pardo, Kraig Chiles, Brandon Escoto, Cesar Cerda, and many more. Joining the team this season are MASL veterans Jamie Lovegrove and Charlie Gonzalez, a couple of players sure to deepen the threat San Diego poses to opponents.

This will be the first of six meetings between the Stars and Sockers. The teams split their regular-season series at a game apiece last season, but San Diego holds a 19-4 advantage in all-time regular-season matchups.

Season tickets are now available for the Tacoma Stars. Guarantee your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84, or emailing info@tacomastars.com, or go to www.tacomastars.com.

Next Saturday, December 18 will be the Stars Annual Teddy Bear Toss. Bring a new stuffed animal to the game and when the Stars score their first goal, let them fly onto the field! All stuffed animals will go to benefit Toys-for-Tots. Game time is 7:05 vs the Dallas Sidekicks. Get your tickets at www.tacomastars.com

Stay up to date with the Stars all season long by following them on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or Instagram (Instagram.com/thetacomastars), and by liking the team on Facebook (FB.com/TacomaStars).

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