February 19, 2024 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Empire Strykers News Release
Ontario, Calif. – Playing in front of an electric crowd of 4,203, the Empire Strykers came within a hair of upsetting Western Conference leaders San Diego Sockers on Sunday evening, fighting back from a four-goal deficit to level things at 8-8 late in the fourth period. The 14-2-0 Sockers, who got four-point performances from Brandon Escoto and Kraig Chiles, prevailed 1-0 in the shootout. Meanwhile, the 3-12-1 Strykers turned heads with a spirited battle, powered in part by three assists from forward-turned-defender Momo Gueye. Empire’s ex-Mexico star Marco Fabián scored in his 13th straight MASL game.
The Sockers wasted little time in the opening quarter, grabbing the early lead when Escoto’s drive from the yellow line took a wicked deflection off former Sockers man Gerardo Jurado and left ‘keeper Brian Orozco without a chance. The visitors quickly doubled their lead, as Kraig Chiles laid the ball off first-time to Escoto and the midfielder bagged his second by firing a low half-volley inside the right post for a gorgeous tally. There would be yet another goal from San Diego before Empire’s first, Juan Gonzalez converting a Drew Ruggles helper to make it 0-3.
The Strykers finally pulled one back when Fabián rifled a right-footed bullet into the net from far outside the area. However, the opposition quickly established its previous cushion when Escoto turned provider, finding Chiles for a 1-4 scoreline. Empire then had a golden chance at the other end, Jurado picking out a streaking Alan Perez with a pinpoint pass from deep inside his own half, but Sockers backstop Boris Pardo produced a point-blank save to keep out the attempted one-touch finish from the doorstep.
The home side was subsequently punished for the missed opportunity, Felipe Gonzalez extending San Diego’s lead to 1-5 on a Chiles assist. The final netter of the period went to the Strykers, as Fabián connected with an Adam James pass to cut his team’s deficit back to three.
The hosts nearly pulled another one back in the second quarter, Sockers ‘keeper Pardo coming up with an excellent kick-save to deny a powerful low drive by Perez. Empire did find its third of the game when James nodded home the rebound following a dangerous shot by Justin Stinson and a fingertip stop from Pardo. Empire netminder Orozco then provided evidence of his own quality, going fully extended for a left-handed diving parry that…