March 11, 2024 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Empire Strykers News Release
San Diego, Calif. – With nothing but pride on the line in their rivalry game against the San Diego Sockers, the Empire Strykers fell 3-10 away to the two-time Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) champions on Sunday evening. The defeat sees the young Strykers squad, which entered the match eliminated from playoff contention, drop to 3-16-1 (wins-losses-overtime/shootout losses) on the season. San Diego’s comfortable win was powered in part by a dominant second quarter, four-game performances from attackers Tavoy Morgan and Charlie Gonzalez, and a three-point performance from defender Cesar Cerda.
The strong play of Sockers ‘keeper Boris Pardo was a key factor in his side only giving up three netters, the veteran boasting 16 saves and a .862 save percentage. While Empire’s Marco Fabián had his impressive goalscoring streak snapped at 16 games, the Mexican’s teammate Kai Garza earned an assist in his first ever professional indoor game at just 16 years old, having been announced as the Strykers’ latest signing shortly before kickoff.
After a fairly uneventful beginning to the match, San Diego should have grabbed the lead when Felipe Gonzalez sent a low centering ball to Morgan from the right. With ‘keeper Brian Orozco out of position, Morgan stared at a wide-open goal, only to inexplicably miss wide left from the doorstep. The home side was very nearly punished for the squandered chance, Empire’s Riley Urie rattling the right post with a shot from the right.
The Sockers had the final close look of the scoreless opening quarter. Kraig Chiles received the ball with his back to the goal and smartly laid it into the path of Flavio Guzman with a single touch, midfielder Guzman being denied one on one by Orozco, who did an excellent job of rushing off his line and cutting down the angle.
Inside the second period, the Strykers had a golden chance to jump out on top. Positioned outside the area on the left, Gerardo Jurado played a beautiful through pass to a streaking Adam James on the right. The defender did well to get to the ball ahead of opposition netminder Pardo, only to tap it narrowly wide left. The floodgates opened moments later, as San Diego’s Juan Salazer collected in the right corner and set up Cerda, who fired a fierce first-time attempt off the inside of the near post and into the net. The Sockers doubled their advantage shortly thereafter, Salazar rifling a long-range effort…