The San Diego Sockers could only get a one-goal win against an Empire Strykers team that implemented a high press and a sixth attacker in its goalkeepers for the majority of the Sockers’ 7-6 win.
The constant sixth attacker made their offense relentless and hard to defend when goalkeepers Brian Orozco or Brandon Gomez were in the corner available to score at any point. The two goalkeepers combine for four goals and three assists this season.
San Diego rotated through their defenders when they could, although the Strykers’ relentless attack didn’t allow for that often.
“They play like no one else plays, so it’s hard, but at the same time they take a lot of risks,” forward Gabriel Costa said, who scored two goals.
San Diego only took advantage with an empty-net score from midfielder Leonardo De Oliveira, who also had three assists, late in the third quarter and defender Cesar Cerda’s first goal of the season in the fourth quarter against a sixth attacker defending the goal.
“You have to know their format and you’ve gotta be patient, and they’re going to give you goals,” head coach Phil Salvagio said.
Each of De Oliveira’s three assists gave the Sockers a new lead. His goal, an empty netter, gave him his third goal of the season. He has 11 assists this season.
The Strykers tied the game at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4, never letting the Sockers take a two-goal lead until the final minute of the third quarter. Despite this, the Sockers never trailed.
Forwards Gabriel Costa and Morgan each scored a brace. Defender Drew Ruggles scored a goal in consecutive games and defender Cesar Cerda scored a goal with a sixth attacker defending in the fourth quarter.
The Sockers, with a 7-5 lead and under three minutes remaining, allowed an own goal that gave the Strykers a last stand in the final couple minutes.
They also implemented a high press in the first quarter that gave Empire multiple steals near the goal in the first quarter but they didn’t score on any of those chances. Empire maintained an intense high press for parts of the second and third quarters.
The Sockers began their stretch run with their eyes on first place in the MASL as they gained sole possession of second place.
Their next three games are slated for the St. Louis Ambush, third-place Kansas City Comets and first-place Chihuahua Savage, all of which will be on the road. The Sockers passed the Comets with their win on Wednesday night. They trail the Savage by four points in the standings.
Up next: The Sockers begin their three-game road trip with the St. Louis Ambush in St. Charles, Mo. on Friday, March 7.
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Featured image: San Diego Sockers goalkeeper Boris Pardo dives for the ball during the Sockers' 7-6 win over the Empire Strykers on March 5 at Frontwave Arena. (Photo credit: Steven Richardson)