San Diego Sockers Game Notes
December 22, 2012 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
WEEK EIGHT
SOCKERS MEET RIVAL BOLTS TO END 2012
San Diego Sockers (7-0) vs Anaheim Bolts (3-4)
DATE: Saturday, December 22nd, 2012
PLACE: Valley View Casino Center
TIME: 7:05pm (PDT)
BROADCAST: ESPN Radio 1700 (audio)
AmericaOne (PPV video)
SOCKERS AND BOLTS RENEW I-5 RIVALRY
The San Diego Sockers close out the 2012 portion of their schedule when they play host to the Anaheim Bolts for the first of two scheduled regular season contests. The two sides will also meet at the Anaheim Convention Center on February 2nd, 2013. Last year the Sockers bested the Bolts in all four matchups, helping to keep Anaheim out of the PASL playoffs. Anaheim pushed San Diego in their first two meetings of 2010-11, leading in the fourth quarter of both games.
THE STREAK: 44-GAME WIN STREAK ON THE LINE
A win streak that dates back to December 29th, 2010 now stands as the longest in U.S. professional team sports history. The San Diego Sockers have won 44 consecutive games, including a 14-4 victory over Toros de Mexico on November 23rd, 2012 to set the record mark of 41, passing the Sioux Falls Storm of United Indoor Football. San Diego's record streak includes all "trophy games", defined as PASL regular and postseason games, U.S. Open Cup elimination contests and the 2012 FIFRA Club Championships in Monterrey.
LONGEST U.S. PRO SPORTS TEAM WIN STREAKS
San Diego Sockers (PASL, 2010-present): 44*
Sioux Falls Storm (UIF, 2005-2008): 40
L.A. Lakers (NBA, 1971-72): 33
Washington Kastles (WTT, 2011-present): 32*
Norfolk Admirals (AHL, 2012): 29
Salt Lake City Trappers (MILB, 1987): 29
*=active streak
LAST GAME: SOCKERS 14, TACOMA STARS 4
Behind another five-goal game from Kraig Chiles, the Sockers made it look easy in a 14-4 romp over the visiting Tacoma Stars on December 15th. San Diego converted their first three power plays on route to a 7-0 halftime lead. Aaron Susi added two goals and three assists for the Sockers (7-0). Chris Toth won in goal in his first home start of the season.
IN CASE YOU LIKE STREAKS, HERE ARE SOME MORE
The Sockers enter this game with the following streaks intact:
- 44 consecutive overall victories
- 39 consecutive home wins
- 31 consecutive PASL regular season wins
- 18 straight road wins
- 6 straight PASL playoff victories
CHILES ON A RECORD TEAR, GOALIES BEWARE
Back-to-back PASL MVP Kraig Chiles is dominating the league once again. With 33 goals and 39 points in seven games, Chiles has fifteen more goals and eleven more points than any other player in the league. During the Sockers' 44-game winning streak, Chiles has been shut out only twice and held to one goal just eight times. He missed four games due to injury (three in the FIFRA Club Championships) and has scored a total of 119 goals in the 39 games he has played during "the streak", including eight four-goal games, three five-goal games, two six-goal games, a seven-goal and eight-goal game.
SOCKERS UNDEFEATED AT HOME
Since returning to the professional ranks in the PASL, the San Diego Sockers have yet to lose at home. The Sockers carried over from the Del Mar Arena a 24-0 home mark in PASL play, 4-0 in PASL playoff action, 5-0 in U.S. Open Cup contests and 2-0 in exhibition friendlies for a 35-0 total home record from 2009-12. Since returning to the Valley View Casino Center, the Sockers have continued with four wins for a 39-0 total home record.
GOING FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT CALENDAR SWEEP
The Mayans had it all wrong: the Sockers will let you know when it's time to change the calendar. A win over Anaheim would give the Sockers the unique distinction in franchise history of having not lost in both the calendar year 2011 and 2012. The Sockers are 25-0 so far in 2012 after going 18-0 in 2011. None of the great Sockers teams of years past ever swept a calendar year.
FARBER THIRD IN PASL IN POINTS
Despite a pair of recent quiet games, San Diego midfielder Brian Farber remains among the league leaders in both points (27-3rd) and assists (15-2nd). A late assist for Farber in the Sockers' 14-4 win over Tacoma kept Brian's name on every scoresheet this season, and his 27 points rank third behind Kraig Chiles (39) and Turlock's Adrian Gutierrez (28 points in eight games) in the PASL.
THE LONE STREAKIN' MOHICAN: ANTHONY MEDINA
Midfielder/forward Anthony Medina has a unique distinction of being the only Sockers player to appear in all 44 consecutive wins. While all players succumb to injury at some point, Anthony's timing has been excellent, as he suffered a broken foot in the final game of the Sockers' 2010-11 season and was able to return just in time for 2011-12's season opener. Medina is more than just a footnote, having already set a new career high with 11 assists this season, adding four goals for 15 points in seven games. Ze Roberto and Eric Wunderle played in the Sockers' first 37 wins of the streak.
SOCKERS KEEPERS INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS
Whether it's Riley Swift or Chris Toth in goal, the Sockers know they have the best goalie in the PASL starting for them on any given night. Swift, a two-time PASL playoff MVP, is 3-0 on the season with a 3.67 GAA and will be in goal against Anaheim. Chris Toth is 4-0 alternating starts with Swift, and possesses a 3.75 GAA. Toth has never lost in goal in 11 PASL starts for the Sockers.
"EL VAQUERO" RIDING HIGH FOR SOCKERS
Eduardo "El Vaquero" Velez joined the Sockers prior to their undefeated season of 2011-12, and continues to provide valuable contributions to the team on both ends of the field. Eduardo potted a goal and assist against the Stars, his fourth multi-point effort of the season. Velez ranks fifth on the Sockers in points (eight goals, five assists, 13 points) and leads the team with five blocked shots and seven fouls. Beyond his dangerous shot and ability to beat players with his dribble, Velez plays both special teams units for the Sockers, already tallying a pair of power play goals while running the top line of the San Diego penalty kill unit alongside Brian Farber.
SOCKERS SPECIAL TEAMS LEAD THE PASL
San Diego's fifteen power play goals and 15 for 23 power play conversion (65.2%) leads the PASL (league average is 32.7%). The Sockers are also strong on penalty kill, having killed off 10 of 14 man advantages against while scoring a short-handed goal.
SOCKERS GAMES BROADCAST ON AMERICAONE, ESPN RADIO 1700 AND SDSOCKERS.COM IN 2012-13
Fans will be able to follow the San Diego Sockers through every game of the 2012-13 season on multiple media platforms. The Sockers agreed to carry a select schedule of 8-11 games on ESPN Radio 1700-AM in San Diego for the second consecutive season, including the home opener. In addition, an audio broadcast of every game will be streamed online at sdsockers.com. Finally, the PASL contracted with AmericaOne Sports as the official provider of online video streaming in 2012-13. Fans will be able to purchase broadcasts by pay-per-view at $8 per game or $90 for a season pass that covers all PASL broadcasts league-wide. Craig Elsten will call the Sockers action across all platforms for the fourth consecutive season, joined by Tim Strombel as a sideline reporter for home games.
INJURY/ABSENCE UPDATE
The Sockers will be without midfielder Majell Aterado for the season after suffering an ACL tear in his knee during the summer. Midfielder/forward Eric Wunderle has begun side work but is yet to return to the field with an injured tendon in his foot. Defender Dan Antoniuk is not with the team this week after undergoing treatment to deaden a nerve in his leg.
OPPONENT'S PROFILE: ANAHEIM BOLTS (3-4)
Change is the biggest constant for the Bolts, who have lit up the scoreboard on both sides of the field this year while wandering to the middle of the table. Owner/GM/head coach/player Bernie Lilavois recently announced he would step away from the field to focus on front office issues. Jeff Tackett, former goaltenders coach for the Bolts, has been promoted to interim head coach for the match, while top midfielder Adriano De Lima (18 goals, 22 points in five games) is now listed as a player/assistant coach. Recent Anaheim lineups have been filled with younger, less experienced players. Luis Gonzalez (10 goals) ranks second on the Bolts in scoring.
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