DEL MAR—The San Diego Sockers used a flurry of five goals late in the fourth quarter to break open a close game and beat Revolucion Tijuana 13-6 at the Del Mar Arena. Dan Antoniuk (pictured) and Kraig Chiles each scored hat tricks for the Sockers, who improved to 8-0 overall and 7-0 in PASL-Pro action.
A tough defensive contest early saw the Sockers and Revolucion tied at two early in the second quarter. Goalkeeper Riley Swift did some of his best work early, picking up back-to-back saves on point blank tries to preserve the tie. Swift finished with sixteen saves in goal and added an assist.
Chiles’ 2nd goal of the game, set up by Paul Wright (game-high four assists), put the Sockers ahead for good with 11:45 to play in the half, and Antoniuk’s first solo strike from beyond the old three-point line made it 4-2 San Diego at halftime.
Tijuana narrowed the score to 5-4 in the third before Anthony Medina scored the first of his two goals on an assist from Chiles, making it 6-4 after three quarters. An Aaron Susi penalty kick goal jump-started a seven-goal fourth quarter for the Sockers, who beat Revolucion Tijuana for the second time this season.
Sockers head coach Phil Salvagio joined 619 Sports immediately after the final horn had sounded to discuss the hard-fought win:
Dan Antoniuk, a forward who has been converted to defenseman on this deep and talented Sockers squad, joined 619 Sports on the field postgame to talk about his first hat trick of the season:
The Sockers now anticipate a January 2nd 6:15pm rematch with California, a team San Diego edged 5-4 in overtime in their first meeting. The Sockers will then play a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match against Estadio Azteca Sunday afternoon at 1:15pm. Both games are at the Del Mar Arena.
