December 15, 2024 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
San Diego Sockers Luiz Morales celebrates his game-winning goal
(San Diego Sockers, Credit: Ryan Young)
OCEANSIDE, CA – Newcomer Luiz Morales tallies a hat trick and the
overtime game-winning goal to help the San Diego Sockers edge Utica City FC 6-5 before 4,508 in the
team’s debut at Frontwave Arena.
San Diego had much of the play in the first quarter with several good scoring chances, but did not find the
back of the net until 13:29 when Morales took an assist from Christian Guitierrez for the first-ever goal at
Frontwave Arena. However, UCFC equalized only 40 seconds later on a goal by Kelvin Oliveira, which would
be the first of his three on the evening.
After ten minutes of evenly played soccer, a well-worked routine on a UCFC set-piece allowed Gordy
Gurson to score from the corner on a Vini Dantas pass. Later in the period after a flurry of shots, Morales’
goal from the corner gave him a brace and tied the game with 1:58 remaining in the half.
Veteran Kraig Chiles opened the second half scoring with a beautiful curler into the top right corner off an
assist from Charlie Gonzalez. Three minutes later Luis “Peewee” Ortega Cooley finished his breakaway
chance with a simple chip over UCFC goalkeeper Andrew Coughlin, who was solid in goal making 18 saves
on 24 shots.
After a defensive breakdown by the Sockers, Gurson slipped past Boris Pardo leaving Oliveira with a tap
into the open net bringing the visitors to within one at 4-3 to end the quarter.
A Pardo error allowed UCFC to tie the game on a Ronaldinho Diniz’ tap-in goal to start the fourth stanza.
Tavoy Morgan rocketed a shot off the back of the wall, where Spanish international Keko Gontan scored on
a tough rebound to give the home team a 5-4 lead at 3:55.
A defensive mistake from Drew Ruggles led to Oliveira’s third goal, which was a spectacular finish off the
bar and into the goal. Regulation would end with the sides deadlocked at five.
In overtime, UCFC thought they had won the game on a breakaway goal, but was called for a foul after
video review. With the wind taken out of their sails, San Diego took advantage moments later. Juan Salazar
used a pinpoint pass to Morales who clinically slotted the shot into the far right post past Coughlin for the
golden goal.
Morales stated, “I am excited being alongside these players and playing in this new building with these
great fans. I am now very excited for every home…