San Diego Wins Defensive Battle over Ontario
December 21, 2018 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Ontario Fury News Release
Ontario, California - In a game that lived up to its hype of two early season undefeated teams, it was the San Diego Sockers who were able to outlast the Ontario Fury 4-2 Thursday evening at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
The two Pacific Division rivals played a tight defensive battle throughout, with the first 15 minutes ending without a goal. But the Sockers took advantage of a Fury mistake early in the second quarter to break the scoreless tie.
Kraig Chiles caused a turnover in Ontario's half of the field, and found Travis Pittman going up the left wing on the counter attack. Pittman beat Ontario goaltender Chris Toth on the near post to give the Sockers a 1-0 lead, they would carry into the half.
San Diego doubled its lead in the third quarter on the power play, as Christian Segura finished a pass from Brandon Escoto to make it 2-0 midway through the period. Less than two minutes later, Chiles broke through and took a pass from Hiram Ruiz to make it 3-0.
Escoto made it 4-0 in the fourth quarter, as the Sockers continued to stymie the Fury's offense. The Fury fired 33 shots on the Sockers' goal, but San Diego defenders blocked 15 of them, with Guerrero Pino pushing aside four of them. Those that got through were parried away by goalkeeper Boris Pardo, who finished with 16 saves.
Toth did his best to keep Ontario in the game, making 14 saves on 18 shots that he faced. He also joined the attack late in the fourth quarter as the Fury worked to mount a rally.
With Toth out for a sixth attacker, the Fury finally broke the shutout, as Chico Francisco Cordiero tipped home a crossing pass from Tino Nunez to make it 4-1 with 2:37 remaining. Adrien Perez, the league's leading scorer, got his 13th goal of the season with 27 seconds remaining, as he headed home a rebound of a Jeff Hughes' shot. Perez was credited with 13 shot attempts in the game.
The Fury will head off to the road for a game at 5 p.m. Saturday at Turlock, before coming home to play Tacoma at 5 p.m. Sunday at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
Tickets are available at the CBBA Box Office, online at OntarioFury.com, or calling 909-457-0252.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from December 21, 2018
- Comets Host St Louis for Game 2 of Season Series - Kansas City Comets
- Tropics Hope to Catch a Wave as Milwaukee Pays a Visit Saturday - Florida Tropics SC
- Tacoma Stars Name Nick Perera New Head Coach - Tacoma Stars
- San Diego Wins Defensive Battle over Ontario - Ontario Fury
- MetroStars Orlando Bound - Mississauga MetroStars
- SeaWolves Host Metro Stars Saturday Night at Silver Spurs Arena - Orlando SeaWolves
- Pardo Shines in Sockers 4-2 Win over Ontario - San Diego Sockers
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