PASL San Diego Sockers

San Diego Sockers Game Notes

Published on December 15, 2012 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release


SOCKERS OPEN HOLIDAY HOMESTAND WITH STARS

After spending three of the past four weekends on the road, the Sockers return home to host the Tacoma Stars in the lid lifter for a three-game holiday homestand. This is the second meeting of the year between the Sockers and Stars, with San Diego controlling a 15-5 decision in Tacoma on December 1st. The Sockers will subsequently take on the Anaheim Bolts (12/22) and Turlock Express (1/5/13) to wrap up the homestand.

THE STREAK: 43-GAME WIN STREAK ON THE LINE

A win streak that dates back to December 29th, 2010 now stands as the longest in US professional team sports history. The San Diego Sockers have won 43 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, US Open elimination contests and the 2012 FIFRA Club Championships in Monterrey.

LONGEST US PRO SPORTS TEAM WIN STREAKS

San Diego Sockers (PASL, 2010-present): 43*

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 9 at REAL PHOENIX 3

The Sockers (6-0) earned their 18th consecutive road win with a workmanlike 9-3 victory over Real Phoenix at the Barney Sports Complex in Queen Creek, AZ. Kraig Chiles added two assists to a hat trick, while Anthony Medina netted two goals with an assist. Chris Toth (3-0) picked up the win in goal, with Paul Wright, Eduardo Velez, Chiky Luna and Brian Farber also scoring for San Diego.

IN CASE YOU LIKE STREAKS, HERE ARE SOME MORE

The Sockers enter this game with the following streaks intact:

- 43 consecutive overall victories

- 38 consecutive home wins

- 30 consecutive PASL regular season wins

- 18 straight road wins

- 6 straight PASL playoff victories

CHILES ON A RECORD TEAR, GOALIES BEWARE

Kraig Chiles is personally outscoring five PASL teams coming into the weekend. A recent 20-goal in three game outburst gave Chiles 28 goals scored in six games, ten more than Anaheim's Adriano de Lima for the league lead. During the Sockers 43-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 114 goals in the 39 games he has played during "the streak", including eight four-goal games, two five-goal games, two six-goal games, a seven-goal and eight-goal game.

FAST FARBER CREATES MVP COMBO PUNCH

2008-09 PASL MVP Brian Farber is off to the best start of his career, with twelve goals and fourteen assists (26 points) in six games, the second-most points in the PASL trailing only Chiles (33 points). Seven of Farber's fourteen assists have come on Chiles goals. The Sockers have never lost with Farber on the field, compiling a 32-0 record.

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 US Open 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 three wins for a 38-0 total home record.

INTERCHANGEABLE GOALIES FOR THE SOCKS

Whether it's Riley Swift or Chris Toth in goal, the Sockers have come to expect big saves, consistency and a victory at the end of the night. Swift and Toth have been alternating starts this season, with both crafting identical 3-0 records and 3.67 goals against averages. The two have combined to stop 79.8% of opponents' shots this year. Toth will get the start in goal Saturday against Tacoma, his first home start of the season. Both goalies are excellent at jump starting the Sockers counter attack as well, with each having recorded a pair of assists on the season.

THE LONE STREAKIN' MOHICAN: ANTHONY MEDINA

Midfielder/forward Anthony Medina has a unique distinction of being the only Sockers player to appear in all 43 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 tied his career high with nine assists this season, adding four goals for 13 points in six games. Ze Roberto and Eric Wunderle played in the Sockers first 37 wins of the streak.

AGE IS ONLY A NUMBER IF YOU'RE PAUL WRIGHT

At age 43, midfielder Paul Wright is playing like he's always played, and that's saying something. Paul returned from a two-week trip to England with another vintage performance, netting a goal and assist in Tacoma before resting in the fourth quarter. Paul played three quarters in Phoenix as well, potting a power play goal, his fifth of the season. Wright has already passed his goal total (4) from last year in Anaheim, and with four assists (9 points) in four games is averaging 2.24 points per game.

"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 netted his seventh goal of the season against Phoenix, already halfway to the total of fourteen he scored last year. Velez also has four assists for eleven total points, and leads the team with three blocked shots and seven fouls. Beyond his dangerous shot and ability to beat players with his dribble, Velez has made a name for himself in San Diego as a tenacious defender who is difficult to beat and works tirelessly to repossess the ball.

SOCKERS SPECIAL TEAMS LEAD THE PASL

San Diego's twelve power play goals and 12 for 19 power play conversion (63.1%) leads the PASL (league average is 30.6%). The Sockers are also strong on penalty kill, having killed off 8 of 11 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. Defenders Brian O'Connor and John Krause are expected back on the field after missing last week's game.

OPPONENT'S PROFILE: TACOMA STARS (3-2)

The Stars are coming off 13-2 and 12-5 wins over Sacramento, lifting their record to 3-2. The Stars lost to the Sockers 15-5 on December 1st and are 0-8 against the Sockers in the PASL, 0-3 in San Diego. Top midfielder Raphael Cox is not listed on the Stars' travel roster, costing the Stars a valuable offensive weapon. Cox netted twice in the previous match with San Diego. Mark Lee and Ian Weinberg are tied for the team goals lead with seven, while rookie defender Facundo Dipascuale has impressed with three goals and eight assists in four games. Goalkeeper Brian Peeling (1-0, 2.00 GAA) makes his second start of the season after beating the Surge in his Stars' debut.

Check out the San Diego Sockers Statistics

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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from December 15, 2012


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