In a matchup that could have seen the first change atop the MASL Western Conference standings for the first time this season, the San Diego Sockers put up six goals behind a hat trick performance from forward Charlie Gonzalez in a 6-4 win over the now-third place Chihuahua Savage.

At 10:05 in the opening quarter, Charlie Gonzalez scored the first goal of the night, and less than a minute later, Hiram Ruiz doubled the early San Diego lead.

Late into the second quarter, Chihuahua’s midfielder/defender Alvaro Luevano put Savage on the board with his fourth goal of the season and third goal in as many games.

Gonzalez responded with two more goals, four minutes apart, to give the Sockers some breathing room going into the half. His two second-quarter scores gave Gonzalez his first hat trick since Feb. 27, 2022.

Savage came out of the half aggressive at the goal, and in the first six minutes of the third quarter, the Sockers’ 4-1 lead was gone. Chihuahua’s Edgar Gonzalez notched two goals, including the game-tying score, and Brandon Gonzalez scored the team’s third goal.

Following a timeout called by head coach Phil Salvagio, goalkeeper Boris Pardo and the Sockers defense went back to business as usual, not allowing another goal from the Savage offense.

With 1:49 to go in the third quarter, Savage goalkeeper Berna Valdovinos, marking the first time in a Sockers game that a goalkeeper served his own penalty following Major Arena Soccer League’s (MASL) new rule change beginning this season.

Backup Savage goalkeeper Ivan Munoz saved the penalty shot taken by captain Kraig Chiles following the intentional handball, and Chihuahua would kill the penalty, keeping the game at four goals apiece.

In the fourth quarter, San Diego’s Christian Gutierrez broke through the 12 scoreless minutes with a tie-breaking score, his 10th goal and 12th point of the season.

Brandon Escoto gave the Sockers an insurance goal at 11:01 in the closing quarter, his seventh of the season.

Pardo became the first MASL goalkeeper to 100 career wins with his 15-save performance, setting a season-high in goals saved.