San Diego Sockers Defeat Ontario Fury in Overtime
The Sockers recorded their second win of the season against the Ontario Fury as San Diego improves to 6-1 to start the season. Brandon Escoto’s game-winning goal in overtime capped a late rally by the hosts to defeat the Fury.
MASL Soccer News: The San Diego Sockers edged the Ontario Fury, 3-2, in an overtime thriller at Pechanga Arena on Saturday night.
The first-place Sockers improved to 6-1 during the 2018/19 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) season and 3-0 in overtime contests.
The game was a defensive battle featuring two of the best goalkeepers in the MASL. San Diego’s Boris Pardo and Ontario’s Chris Toth showcased their skills by making spectacular saves throughout the match. Toth was the busiest of the two, saving 21 of 35 shots, while Pardo tallied 13 saves on 15 shots.
The Fury scored once in the first period and again early in the fourth for a 2-0 lead. San Diego defender Luis Ortega scored the opening goal for the hosts with 7:39 remaining in the final quarter. The equalizer came off a corner kick with 4:06 left to play. Sockers veteran Kraig Chiles found Brandon Escoto at the top of the arc who hit a strike with authority into the upper, right corner.
For Ontario, the winning goal was unfortunate as Escoto’s shot from the left corner deflected off a Fury defender and skipped over Toth into the goal.
The goal helped Escoto reach the 100-point career milestone mark. He also extended his point streak to seven games, while Chiles has tallied a point in the six games he has played in this season.
The teams will not have to wait long for a rematch as Ontario returns to San Diego on Friday, January 11th. Kickoff is at 7:35 p.m. PT.
Photo Credit: San Diego Sockers