Dallas Kicks Sockers Below .500
Published on January 31, 2004 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
San Diego Sockers News Release
A flurry of late penalties and missed opportunities marked the Sockers' 7-3 loss to the Sidekicks and San Diego now trails Dallas by three games in the Western Division. The Sockers have lost their last three on the road and, with an overall record of 10-11, are one game below .500.
"It just felt like we could never find our rhythm in the game, due to their speed and defensive pressure," said Sockers defender Matt Johnson.
The Sidekicks' Patrick Shamu, unassisted, put Dallas on the board first at 13:14 in the first (1-0). Dallas' offense continued their run with goals by Ricardinho, assisted by Shamu, and Martin Nash, off Ricardinho (3-0). The Sockers remained scoreless until 14:14 of the second when Tony Velazquez, assisted by Matt Johnson, toed one past Dallas goalkeeper Sagu (3-1). The goal ended Sagu's shutout streak of 118:14, breaking the club's record, previously held by Krys Sobieski (96:35).
The Sockers picked up their offense going into the third and Nino DaSilva found Mariano Bollella at 8:26 to put the Sockers within one. But Dallas marched back with goals by Eric Dade and Shamu, assisted by Dallas newcomer Chad Deering and Nash, respectively. Sean Bowers, league leader in blocks, tried to get San Diego back into the game with a goal at 13:23, assisted by goalkeeper Victor Nogueira. San Diego's goalie now has three assists on the season.
Moving late into the fourth, words and penalty cards flew and San Diego lost two key playmakers, DaSilva and Paul Wright. Kiley Couch was charged a two-minute penalty for tripping. Leo Pernia and Ricardinho sat out for Dallas and also lost Sagu for the last five minutes of the game, all for dissent. Despite missing players, Dallas was still able to post two more goals in the fourth, serving San Diego their second straight loss in Dallas.
Nogueira recorded his eleventh loss this season with 15 of 21 shots saved. Bowers led the defense with 4 blocks on the night. For the Sidekicks, Stavrou and Sinisa Alebic tied with three blocks. Dallas' Sagu saved 10 of 13 and improved his record to 14-9.
In the first of back-to-back road games, the Sockers travel to St. Louis to face the Steamers on Saturday, February 7. They then head to Cleveland to face the Force on Sunday, February 8.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 31, 2004
- Dallas Kicks Sockers Below .500 - San Diego Sockers
- KiXX show Force against Cleveland in 7-3 victory - Philadelphia KiXX
- Sidekicks' 7-3 win evens season series with San Diego - Dallas Sidekicks
- Reiniger, Todd Dusosky spark Wave to 7-1 win over Steamers at U.S. Cellular Arena - Milwaukee Wave
- Force drops second game of weekend to KiXX - Cleveland Force
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