San Diego Sockers Weekly
Published on March 2, 2011 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
SOCKERS CAP DRILLERS 13-3, STILL UNDEFEATED AT HOME
The PASL-Pro Western Division Champion San Diego Sockers closed out the regular season in style with an easy 13-3 victory over the Edmonton Drillers, finishing another perfect PASL-Pro regular season at the Del Mar Arena. Eric Wunderle had a hat trick and assist and rookie Nick Perera shined with two goals and three assists in the San Diego victory. The Sockers finished an 8-0 league campaign at home and are now 24-0 all-time in Del Mar.
SOCKERS CLINCH TOP SPOT IN PASL-PRO, PLAYOFFS RETURN TO DEL MAR IN 2012
San Diego's dominant run down the home stretch of the PASL-Pro regular season has allowed the Sockers to accomplish all of their goals heading into the playoffs in Cincinnati. By virtue of winning their last nine PASL-Pro games by a combined score of 84-35, the Sockers not only clinched the Western Division, but with a 14-2 overall mark, 149 goals scored and a +67 goal differential, they also have nailed down the top seed in the upcoming PASL-Pro North American Championships, and have earned the right to host next season's playoffs in Del Mar.
CHILES, WRIGHT LEAD SOCKERS IN SCORING
Kraig Chiles will have to sweat out Friday's result in Cincinnati to secure the Golden Boot (his 33 goals lead the Kings' Jeff Hughes by three) but his spot atop the Sockers' team statistics was locked up for many weeks. Chiles led the Sockers in the regular season with 33 goals and 12 assists (45 points). A late surge moved the venerable midfielder Paul Wright into the second spot with 11 goals and 16 assists (27 points), one point ahead of Anthony Medina (16 goals, 10 assists).
NEXT UP: WAIT AND SEE
The Sockers are off this week but will await results from mid-America to determine the final playoff seeding for the North American Championships. Detroit needs to win two games in Winnipeg to earn the PASL-Pro's wild card spot and a play-in game against Frontier Division champion Illionis Piaza. The Edmonton Drillers and Calgary United have a de-facto CMISL championship game this weekend in Calgary to set the sixth and final playoff spot. The PASL-Pro North American Championships will be held March 10-12 at the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio.
NICK PERERA NAMED SOCKERS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rookie forward has two goals, three assists in standout performance
San Diego Sockers forward Nick Perera may not have a permanent berth in the Sockers' starting thirteen, but he's looking like a fixture for years to come and one of the key players for the future of the franchise. For the second time this season, Perera earned Sockers Player of the Week honors, this time after garnering two goals and three assists in the Sockers' 13-3 victory over the Edmonton Drillers on Saturday night at the Del Mar Arena.
Perera set the tone for a dominant performance right away, using a skillful fake to send Edmonton keeper Jay Vetsch sprawling before calmly potting his first goal of the night less than two minutes into the contest. Perera put on a show possessing the ball on Saturday, feathering three assists to his teammates Diego Rovira, Eric Wunderle and Brian O'Connor. Perera's second goal of the night came from a sharp angle on right wing, with Nick picking out the upper side netting for his fifth goal of the season. In six games with San Diego, Perera has collected five goals and eight assists (13 points).
The Western Division Champion Sockers have wrapped up their regular season and with a record of 14-2 have set the high-water mark for the PASL-Pro's three seasons of play. The Sockers have clinched the top seed in the upcoming PASL-Pro North American Championships, to be held March 10th-12th at the Cincinnati Gardens in Ohio. In addition, by virtue of owning the league's best record, the Sockers have earned the right to host next year's championships in Del Mar. San Diego's final home game of the year will be the US Open Championship on March 19th against the Cincinnati Kings.
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from March 2, 2011
- San Diego Sockers Weekly - San Diego Sockers
- Cincinnati Kings Weekly - Cincinnati Kings
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