Bolts Fall 14-3 to Defending Champs San Diego
December 23, 2012 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Anaheim Bolts News Release
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Anaheim Bolts fell to hosts San Diego Sockers 14-3 on Saturday night, despite giving the defending PASL champions a run for their money in the game's first three quarters. A standout performance from Bolts goalkeeper Manabu Kaji was not enough to avoid defeat to a strong Sockers side whose 45th straight victory was powered in large parts by a hat-trick from defender Chiky Luna.
The Bolts displayed impressive intensity in the opening quarter and were rewarded with the day's first goal. Midfielder Jhonatan Bravo made it 1-0 on a stunning long-distance strike, as he released a rocket off the outside of his right boot that whistled past helpless Sockers netminder Riley Swift and inside the near post. The second quarter saw San Diego bounce back in style, tallies by Kraig Chiles, Eduardo Velez, Aaron Susi and Luna giving the hosts a 4-1 lead at halftime.
After the break, the Sockers picked up right where they had left off, with Luna, Susi and Chiles all finding the net for three unanswered goals. Luna's strike was one of the period's most memorable, as he found the upper ninety with a right-footed blast that left backstop Kaji without a chance. The Bolts showed great fighting spirit in their response, as Zach Bautista and Oscar Reyes struck for two consecutive tallies. However, just when it seemed that there might be hope for the visitors, Luna scored at the other end to give San Diego an 8-3 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The strike served to deflate the Anaheim players' belief in a comeback, as they surrendered to defeat in the game's closing period. San Diego's Paul Wright, Anthony Medina, Brian Farber, Ze Roberto, Velez and Diego Rovira took full advantage by rounding out a 14-3 final score line that did not reflect the Bolts' spirited effort on the day. Rovira's goal was one of the game's most memorable, as he buried the ball following a beautiful heel feed from teammate Chiles
The Bolts will debut their transformed home venue, which has been renamed Bolts Arena at the Anaheim Convention Center, in their clash with the Mexico Toros on Thursday, December 27. Tickets for the 7 p.m. PT clash start at $12 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Anaheim Convention Center Arena box office. Parking is free. For more information, please call the Bolts front office at 714-321-9898 or the Anaheim Convention Center Arena at 714-765-8980.
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from December 23, 2012
- Sockers Close Out Perfect 2012 - San Diego Sockers
- Bolts Fall 14-3 to Defending Champs San Diego - Anaheim Bolts
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