STARS SET TO PLAY TWO AGAINST HEAT THIS WEEKEND
TACOMA, WA. – The Stars (2-1-0) return home for the first time since December 10 to kick-off a weekend doubleheader with the Harrisburg Heat (1-4-0) on Saturday at 7:05 pm. The same teams will square off the following day with a 5:05 pm start time. This will be just the third all-time meeting between the teams with the Heat winning the first two games of the series.
It’s a special night at the accesso ShoWare Center as the Stars celebrate Women of Soccer Appreciation with a Ceremonial First Kick by Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup Finalist Stephanie Cox. There will also be an early game featuring the Tacoma Galaxy women taking on Bellingham United at 4 pm. One ticket will get you into both the Galaxy and Stars game.
Harrisburg comes into the game battling injuries and illnesses with three players tied for the team lead in scoring with four points in Alejandro Chavez (3G-1A). Danny DiPrima (3G-1A), and Malcolm Harris (2G-2A). DiPrima also tops the squad in blocks with eight. Rookie goalkeeper Chase Vosvick anchors the Heat defense and brings a 1-3-0 record with a 6.99 GAA and .671 save percentage to the game.
The Stars, fresh off their 7-5 win on the road against the Comets are led offensively by Mike Ramos (2G-3A) and Nick Perera (2G-3A), each with five points. Jamael Cox’s three goals tops the Stars in that category. DeBray Hollimon’s seven blocks put him in the lead on defense for Tacoma.
The defensive story of the week however, is goalkeeper Danny Waltman’s MASL Week 6 Defensive Player of the Week honor. His 28 save performance against Kansas City earned him the award. For his career, Waltman is the all-time leader in games played (144) and saves (1686). For 2022-23, he is 2-1-0 with a 6.19 GAA and .757 save percentage. His save percentage leads the league this season.
Sunday evening’s game is a nod to our youth fans with Kid’s Day at the accesso ShoWare Center. Tickets for both games are available at www.tacomastars.com/tickets.