Bolts Weekend Preview

January 4, 2012 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Anaheim Bolts News Release


Anaheim, CA- (January, 4, 2012)- After three weeks without a game, the Bolts are fully charged and ready to strike. There will be no easing back into PASL play, however, as the Bolts start the new year with a home match against Revolucion Tijuana on Friday and immediately head down the I-5 for a showdown with the San Diego Sockers less than 24 hours later.

The Bolts (3-3) will open 2012 in the friendly confines of the Anaheim Convention Center Arena after three games away from home to end 2011. Kickoff is set for 8:00 P.M. PST, but the doors to the Arena will open at 5:00 as the Bolts and Tijuana's reserve sides will face each other at 5:45. It is also "Latino Night" with pre-game festivities including a Mariachi band, Mexican cuisine from El Campeon, and an interactive kids' zone filled with piñatas, goody bags, and a soccer skills contest.

On the field, the Bolts are coming off a 9-8 loss away to Turlock in which they were out hustled, outplayed and didn't get going until it was too late. At 3-3, the Bolts are technically in the playoffs, but need to go on a winning run to cement their position.

Tijuana comes into the first ever meeting between the two clubs just half a game behind Anaheim with a record of 3-4. The Mexican side closed out 2011 with a 17-11 loss up in Turlock to fall to 1-3 on the road.

"Tijuana plays a very similar style to us," Lilavois remarked in a phone interview. "They have very skillful players who like to keep possession and yet they are dangerous going forward. Due to our styles, I expect a very evenly played, but entertaining match."

The Bolts will need to be weary of Guillermo Rodriguez who has 10 goals in just seven appearances for the Mexicans. At the other end, Lucero Guillermo leads the defensive line with six blocks.

Despite the long layoff, Bolts head coach Bernie Lilavois believes his side will enter Friday's encounter in midseason form. "I don't think our players will be rusty at all," Lilavois declared. "The boys are well rested, have looked sharp in training and they know what is at stake this weekend. We are also anticipating our biggest crowd of the season, so all the pieces are in place for the players to be fully motivated and 100 percent on their game."

In the battle between third and fourth in the West, Friday's fixture is a must win contest. Three points could go a long way towards separating the Bolts from their opponents and the chasing pack.

On Saturday, Anaheim travels South to Del Mar to renew the I-5 Rivalry with the San Diego Sockers. Kickoff is at 7:05 P.M. PST and Bolts fans are invited to travel to Del Mar on the team bus (http://www.boltsoccer.com/tickets/580507.html).

The Sockers are undefeated in their last 18 games and post a 27-0 mark all time at the Del Mar Arena.

Reigning league MVP, Kraig Chiles recorded his 100th career point in the Sockers last win against Tacoma and continues his tare with 14 goals and 9 assists on the season.

Meanwhile, former teammates with Bernie Lilavois on the Stockton Cougars continue to provide a steady flow of goals for the two-time defending champions. Brian Farber (5 goals, 3 assists), Majell Arterado (6 goals, 4 assists) and Aaron Susi (4 goals, 6 assists), are there to be counted on in the off chance that Chiles is misfiring.

Susi needs just 10 more points to reach 500 for his career.

The last time the two sides met, the Bolts almost inflicted the Sockers first ever home loss. Anaheim had the lead until the final minute, but San Diego tied the game at Six on a Majell Aterado goal at the 14:14 mark of the final quarter. The Sockers had 6 v. 4 man advantage (sixth attacker and a Bolts player in the box) in that final minute and made it count. Brian Farber completed the comeback in overtime to break Bolts' hearts and ad more fuel to the fire.

The Bolts lost their first two games of the season to the San Diego Sockers by surrendering fourth quarter leads. The big question about this inaugural Bolts club is as follows: Now that the side is a bit more experienced, can the Bolts not only get the lead, but keep it against a veteran Sockers squad that has found ways to come back from the dead on more than one occasion this season?

"We are not worried about the Sockers, but rather excited," Lilavois says. "The last two matches were a lot of fun. They had great intensity, were played in front of ruckus crowds, and were very close. I believe that my guys now have the experience and knowhow to not only put ourselves in the right position, but this time, to get the job done."



Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 4, 2012


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