PASL San Diego Sockers

Sockers Outlast Fury 6-5

Published on January 19, 2014 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release


ONTARIO, CA--With well-timed scoring flurries and a determined defensive stand, the San Diego Sockers (9-3) finished off a perfect weekend with a 6-5 victory over the Ontario Fury at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. Raymundo Reza (SDSU) netted a pair of first half goals, while league MVP Kraig Chiles potted his 26th goal of the year and added two assists.

Playing their second game in 21 hours, the Sockers encountered a full strength Fury side lying in wait for their first game of the weekend. The result was a highly competitive affair witnessed by 1,860. San Diego goalkeeper Chris Toth was named man of the match, with twelve recorded saves but at least three remarkable blocks that stopped certain goals.

"Toth played phenomenal tonight, that's what I need from my keeper," said head coach Phil Salvagio, a former keeper himself, "We were tired, with heavy legs. When things aren't going well, you need to weather the storm and come up big, and that's what he did tonight."

San Diego took a 2-1 lead after one quarter, with goals by Reza and Jeff Hughes offset by the first of two Tino Nunez strikes for Ontario. The Fury controlled much of the second quarter and were tied 2-2 before Chad Hagerty's first goal of the season, volleying an Anthony Medina rebound, gave San Diego the lead for good with 4:27 remaining in the half.

Reza scored a quality indoor goal moments later, taking a centering feed from Chiles and firing a left-footed board pass off the goal wall before finishing left footed on a diagonal strike with forty-two seconds remaining in the half.

"Phenomenal ball by Kraig, a great touch from the wall to feed me on the inside, and I was able to finish it," said Reza, "I'm starting to learn the angles but I've still got a lot to learn."

The Fury were awarded a blue card power play to start the third quarter when San Diego picked up their third yellow card of the match, and Luis Piffer's conversion narrowed the Sockers lead to 4-3. Ontario worked hard to try and level the score, but Toth rose to the occasion with big stops to keep San Diego in front. Back-to-back surgical strikes by Eduardo Velez and Chiles gave the Sockers a 6-3 lead after three quarters.

Ontario (4-8) rallied behind goals from Nunez and Jhonatan Bravo to narrow the lead to 6-5 with 3:29 left, but San Diego closed things out, turning aside the Fury's sixth attacker formation to secure the victory.

"The Fury played very well tonight," said Salvagio, "I really have to give credit to our midfield. They played properly today and we didn't give up any of those weak goals or counter attacks."

After failing to execute late game defense earlier in the season, Toth viewed the Sockers' closeout against Ontario as a breakthrough confidence builder.

"It's huge because we know (next week's trip to) Monterrey isn't going to be easy. To win a game like this, we haven't really done it yet this year in the tight games, so to take care of business this week is big."

Reza took it a step further, crediting Toth as the brick wall upon which the Sockers leaned for victory.

"Chris Toth is the best keeper in the league, and I say that proudly because he's also one of the youngest (24 years old). It's tough to be a young player in this league with so many veterans, and he's kind of carrying the torch for us young guys."

The Sockers travel to Mexico next weekend for another set of back-to-back games, taking on the Saltillo Rancho Seco on Saturday and the Monterrey Flash on Sunday. San Diego returns home on February 1st to take on Toros de Mexico on T-Shirt Night, with the first 5,000 fans receiving a new Sockers t-shirt courtesy of The Mighty 1090. Tickets are available by calling (866) 799-GOAL or online at www.sockers.com.

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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 19, 2014


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