Sockers end losing streak, win 6-4
March 12, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
San Diego Sockers News Release
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Mariano Bollella scored his 200th career goal and the Sockers snapped a four-game losing streak in a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Force. Tonight's win was San Diego's first against Cleveland since the Sockers joined the MISL in 2002. The Sockers improved their home record to 10-5 and their overall record to 12-17. The victory was a must-win for San Diego who is in the hunt for a playoff spot.
After a scoreless opening quarter, the Sockers were first to score at 1:21 of the second when Paul Dougherty headed one past Force goalkeeper Jim Larkin. Sockers newcomer Dan Antoniuk was credited with the assist. San Diego took a 2-0 lead at 5:29 when Dougherty fed Mariano Bollella for his team-leading 22nd goal. Cleveland's John Ball cut the lead to 2-1 just before halftime at 13:14.
The Sockers were first to score again in the second half when Mauricio Alegre put in his fourteenth goal of the season at 2:18 off a David Beltran assist. At 4:21 of the third, Sean Bowers increased the Sockers lead to 4-1 after a power play goal assisted by Paul Wright. The Force's Hector Marinaro answered back with a goal at 5:38 from defender Omid Namazi.
The Sockers' Kevin Legg scored his sixth goal of the season off Wright's second assist of the game. At 8:31, Wright scored off a pass from Beltran to give San Diego its biggest lead of the game at 6-2. Cleveland's Braeden Cloutier and Namazi scored the final two goals at 11:54 and 13:25, respectively. Hector Marinaro assisted on both goals.
Sockers goalkeeper Victor Nogueira earned the win by saving nine of 13. Bowers led the defense with five blocks and leads the MISL with 75 total. Cleveland's goalkeeper Larkin, saved 6 of 12 shots faced and five Cleveland players had one block each.
The Sockers host the St. Louis Steamers on Sunday, March 14 at 5 p.m. It will be the final meeting between the two clubs in the regular season, with the Steamers leading the series 2-1. The Sockers will be wearing commemorative green jerseys that will later be auctioned off to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 12, 2004
- Sidekicks (17-12) @ Cleveland - Mar. 14, 4:05 PM - Dallas Sidekicks
- KiXX Head to Mexico for Final Time of 2003-04 - Philadelphia KiXX
- Force Heads To Show Me State For Last Time - Cleveland Force
- Sockers end losing streak, win 6-4 - San Diego Sockers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
