Sockers start season with road wins in Texas and Colorado
Nov 16, 2009
Building from their impressive 9-5 victory over the Stars of Mexico at home last week, the San Diego Sockers went on the road to defeat both the Denver Dynamite and Texas Outlaws on Saturday and Sunday.
The Sockers (2-0 PASL-PRO Western Division) returned to action for their first league game on Saturday, showing off some vintage 1980s swagger by routing the Denver Dynamite 12-6 and spoiling their home opener before hundreds of fans at the Bladium Arena. The Dynamite stayed in the game until midway through the third quarter when the wheels came off.
The teams were scoreless until John Molet gave Denver a 1-0 lead 20 seconds into the second quarter. That first goal put blood in the water and set off a scoring frenzy.
Paul Wright, appropriately enough, scored the first goal in modern Sockers history at 13:11 of the second. Less than two minutes later, on an assist from Wright, Miguel "Chiky" Luna gave the Sockers their first lead. By halftime that lead swelled to 5-3 as the teams exchanged five goals in less than a four-minute span.
Denver struck first in the second half when Chad Pearson cut the score to 5-4 at 14:01 of the third quarter. But then former Dynamite forward Garth Archibald stuck a dagger in the backs of his former teammates. His unassisted goal at 12:08 started a five-goal run that allowed the Sockers to pull away and build a 10-4 lead.
Pearson finished with a hat trick for Denver and Josh Fallin had one goal and two assists in his Dynamite debut.
Wright led the Sockers with two goals and two assists. Dan Antoniuk, Aaron Susi and Kraig Chiles each had three points and Luna finished with two goals.
Riley Swift got the win for the Sockers behind a 25-save night. Justin Dzuba had a far busier night saving 30 of 42 shots faced under constant bombardment.
The Sockers continued their momentum on Sunday in Texas playing at TCG Arena at NYTEX Sport Centre defeating the Outlaws 7-5. The last time the San Diego Sockers played indoor soccer in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area was five years ago.
Wright had a goal and two assists giving him seven points and making him the early league-scoring leader. Aaron Susi had a hat trick and Anthony Medina scored twice including the game-winning goal with 12:17 left in the fourth quarter.
The Outlaws (0-1 PASL PRO Western Division) played the fourth quarter at a disadvantage after an injury forced goalkeeper Luis Aldaba out of the game. Midfielder Jamie Harrigan was forced to play the final 15 minutes in the nets, but Texas controlled play through much of the second half, outshooting the Sockers 25-8.
The Sockers return home to play the Stockton Cougars, who have yet to play a regular season game this year, on Friday at the Del Mar Arena. The game starts at 6:15 p.m. For more information visit www.sdsockers.com.
This article is courtesy of the San Diego Sockers.
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