Following their second loss in 27 matches this season, the San Diego Sockers stared down elimination as the semifinal best-of-two series came north to San Diego from Chihuahua, Mexico, where they played their third overtime match in as many games since the Chihuahua Savage joined the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) this season.

Their 22-game win streak came to an end, but the dreams of the franchise’s 16th arena soccer championship remained alive. Their only regular-season loss came down to overtime as well, recording points in each MASL game this season.

Charlie Gonzalez opened the scoring with a first-quarter goal, his second of the playoffs, and Luis Ortega broke through the Chihuahua defense in the second quarter to score on a one-on-one situation with the Savage’s goalkeeper. The Sockers led 2-0 at the half.

It was a slow start for both teams offensively to begin the second half, but with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter, Chihuahua got past San Diego goalkeeper Boris Pardo twice to tie the game. Felipe Gonzalez re-took the lead with two minutes left and the Sockers never relinquished that lead.

In the fourth quarter, three Sockers scored to secure the game two victory and send the series to a 15-minute deciding game following a 15-minute intermission at Pechanga Arena San Diego.

Follow us on Twitter @ESDSports_ for live updates of the third game beginning around 7:27 p.m. PT at Pechanga Arena.

Stay tuned for an updated story following the 15-minute mini-game.