The Tacoma Stars opened the MASL Ron Newman Cup playoffs with a convincing 5-2 win over the San Diego Sockers at the accesso ShoWare Center on Thursday night.

The series shifts to San Diego for Game 2 Saturday. Should the Sockers win, a mini tiebreaker game will be played immediately following Game 2.

Philip Lund opened the scoring for the Stars with 4:55 left in the opening quarter, and Nick Perera added another just 40 seconds later to put the Stars up 2-0.

The tables turned in the second quarter when Felipe Gonzalez and Kraig Chiles tallied for the visitors to tie the game 2-2 at halftime.

The Stars dominated the final quarter after a scoreless third, beginning with Taylor Bond’s goal with 11:19 left in the 4th. Jamael Cox netted a goal with 9:43 left, and Raphael Cox closed out scoring with 2:38 remaining to give the Stars the victory.

For 2018-19 Tacoma Stars season tickets, or more information, call 1-844-STARS-84 or go to tacomastars.com.

Stars games are streamed live on masl.tv with live stats available at maslsoccer.com.