San Diego Sockers Purge Sacramento Surge 18-5 to increase Pacific Division lead
Kraig Chiles scored five goals on his MVP Poster night and the San Diego Sockers expanded their MASL Pacific Division lead by whipping the Sacramento Surge 18-5 in front of 3,254 fans at the Valley View Casino Center.
Coupled with Las Vegas’ 11-8 road victory at Ontario, the Sockers (7-3) saw their lead in the Pacific increase to two games in the loss column over the 7-5 Legends and Fury.
The Sockers gave their fans an MVP Poster honoring the three players on the team who captured league MVP awards in their careers, Kraig Chiles (2010-13, three-time PASL MVP), Jeff Hughes (2009-10) and Brian Farber (2008-09, currently injured). Chiles and Hughes celebrated the occasion by combining for seven goals and three assists on the night, with Chiles adding one assist to his five goal total while Hughes netted a brace with two assists.
Veteran midfielder Chiky Luna added a goal and three assists while Brazilian midfielder Guto (Gustavo Machado Queiroga) scored his first two North American goals along with an assist in his second game wearing the Sockers shield.
San Diego utilized an 11-1 shot advantage to open a 5-0 lead during a first quarter where the Sacramento Surge (2-9) chose to sit back and pack in close defense without challenging possession. The Sockers really opened up after halftime, scoring six goals in both the third and fourth quarters.
The eighteen goals matched the most scored by the Sockers-3 franchise since returning to action in 2009 (18-3 at Arizona Storm in 2011) and set the home high-water mark for goals scored. Reserve goalkeeper Jesus Molina made his second start in goal and improved his record to 2-0.
The Sockers return to action next Saturday when they host the Harrisburg Heat at the Valley View Casino Center. Tickets are available by calling (866) 799-GOAL, online at sockers.com or at the VVCC box office.
Photo Credit Aaron Jaffe – San Diego Sockers
