The long standing championship team – the San Diego Sockers – are off to a rocky season but still are beloved by their fans.
Despite a spirited comeback, the San Diego Sockers (4-4) fell to the Dallas Sidekicks 9-7 at the Allen Event Center.
The Sockers were held scoreless through the second and third quarters as Dallas built up a an 8-1 lead.
With over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, Phil Salvagio brought on Victor Quiroz as the sixth attacker. It paid immediate dividends with Matt Clare and Anthony Medina providing quick-fire strikes.
Jonatan Santos was whistled for tripping, however, and Arthur Ivo completed his hat-trick on the power play to make it 9-3.
Ray Reza scored his first of the season at the 8:13 mark to restore some hope, but an altercation off the ball resulted in penalties to Nick Perera and Evan McNeley while Cameron Brown went into the box for Dallas.
With the Sockers down to three players and having to kill another penalty, it looked like all was lost, but Eddie Velez scored a short-handed goal to keep Sockers fans dreaming 9-5.
San Diego continued with the sixth attacker and Perera headed the ball across goal for Enrique Tovar to head home.
Perera got the final goal with 13 seconds left but it was just a bit too little too late as Dallas held on for the 9-7 victory.
Dallas went 2-4 on the power-play with Brown and Ivo getting the goals.
Ivo finished with three goals while Brown and VicMore Eligwe recorded braces.
Velez led the Sockers with two goals while Perera recorded a goal and an assist.
After four games in nine days, San Diego has a week off before returning to action. The Sockers will be back home next Saturday to face the Ontario Fury. Fans can get their tickets by calling 1-866-799-GOAL.
