Tumwater Pioneers to join PASL Premier Northwest this winter

OlySports.com reports that the rumored new Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL Premier) club in Tumwater is going to debut this upcoming season. Read the article here.

The new team is owned by Mike Rancipher, who recently purchased Tumwater Indoor Sports from Marian Bowers  (Tacoma Stars) and is in the process of opening a new facility in the old Harbor Freight warehouse across the street from the previous facility.

The Pioneers have hired Evergreen State University graduate Matt Stalnik as head coach for their inaugural season. The Soldotna, Alaska native played two seasons at goalkeeper for the Geoducks in 2007-2008 and has played in the PASL for the Wenatchee Fire, Tacoma Stars and the Denver Dynamite and will likely be in goal as a player/coach for the Pioneers.

Stalnik was interviewed by goalWA.net Editor David Falk back in 2010 when he was with the Fire.

Matt Stalnik, the player/head coach of the new Tumwater Pioneers. (Wenatchee Fire photo)

Stalnik has seen many colleges and clubs, and raised himself and his game out of the tough Alaskan soccer landscape. So what keeps him motivated to play? “Well I’m young, only 25, its been my child hood dream to play at a high level,” Matt confides. “I’ve held onto that and it has led me on an amazing adventure. I feel blessed that in these hard economic times I still have my foot on the ball with plenty of support. I would like to play as long as possible. Your body only retains this condition and ability for so long and I feel I would be selling myself short if I wasn’t doing what I love.”

The Pioneers join the Arlington Aviators as new clubs to the winter semi-pro indoor league. Last year the South Sound Shock played home matches in Tumwater. This season the Shock will play at the Pacific Sports Center in Tacoma.

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