March 31, 2023 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – San Diego Sockers News Release
SAN DIEGO – Four different Sockers had three-point matches as San Diego rallied from a first quarter 2-0 deficit to post an 11-5 win over the Eastern Division-leading Milwaukee Wave Thursday night at Pechanga Arena. The Sockers (21-2, 60 points) won their ninth in a row and 21st straight at home, scoring all eleven goals in the final three quarters.
“Going down 2-nothing at home isn’t ideal, but honestly it’s nice to play someone outside our bubble,” said captain Kraig Chiles, who had a goal and two assists.
Tavoy Morgan scored a hat trick for the Sockers, who improved to 4-0 against the Eastern Division this season. Leonardo de Oliveira and Brandon Escoto each added a goal and two assists, while Mitchell Cardenas contributed a pair of helpers. Juan Manuel Rojo had a goal and assist from the back line, as did 44-year-old Ze Roberto, starting what is likely his final home match in a lineup rotation from head coach Phil Salvagio.
The Sockers honored Roberto with a position on the power play unit in the fourth quarter, and Ze came through with a header goal for his first goal of the season and possibly the last of his illustrious career, which has seen him earn six championship rings with San Diego.
“Tonight means a lot to me,” said Roberto, “Every time I have the opportunity put on this jersey I want to be proud because it has so much history. I’m trying to catch up with them (the younger players), that’s who I’m trying to catch up with.”
San Diego, who clinched the best record in the MASL on March 19, rotated their lineup once again in anticipation of next week’s Ron Newman Cup playoffs, sitting all-MASL goalkeeper Boris Pardo for the first time all season. Second-year keeper Xavier Snaer-Williams made his first start and earned his first win of the year, stopping 13-of-18 shots after a rough first quarter.
The Sockers got off to a slow start against a composed team in the Wave (14-8-1, 42 points), who lost an opportunity to clinch the top of the East with a win. Tony Walls and Salvador Nuñez scored at 5:46 and 10:14 of the first quarter, and the Wave out-shot a sluggish San Diego attack 5-to-3.
In the opening minutes of the second quarter, Nuñez was sprung loose against a stretched defense, and had a chance to attack Snaer-Williams from the top of the crease. Putting his laces through a low shot on target, Nuñez thought he had 3-0 on his boot, but Snaer-Williams got his…
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