by Craig on March 15, 2010
PASL-Pro commissioner Kevin Milliken (left) hands the championship trophy to Sockers coach/GM Phil Salvagio
DEL MAR–The Sockers are back, and now they’ve got the title to prove it.
Paul Wright had a goal and four assists, Kraig Chiles scored a hat trick, and the San Diego Sockers withstood a furious rally from La Raza de Guadalajara, prevailing 9-8 at the Del Mar Arena to claim the PASL-Pro North American Championship.
Riley Swift (in gray) was named tournament MVP after collecting 37 saves in two games
Goalkeeper Riley Swift, who followed up a 16-save performance in the semis with 21 saves on Saturday night, was named tournament MVP.
“It’s championship time,” said Swift, “These were two tough games, but we knew what we wanted to do, and we made it happen. It’s been way overdue to finally bring a championship back to San Diego, and I hope there’s more to come.”
It’s the 11th major indoor title for the Sockers, but the first for this collection of young talent and aged greatness.
“We worked so hard for this,” said a relieved Wright after the game, “I can’t believe we’re going to raise another banner up here.” Continue Reading →
DEL MAR–At halftime of Thursday night’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Vitesse Dallas, Chiky Luna was looking for answers.
“I think I was trying a little too hard with my shot,” said Luna, who had 14 goals coming in but was scoreless in 3 1/2 games, “I had a few chances in the first half and didn’t get quite the right shot off.”
After a word of advice from the Sockers’ sage veteran Paul Wright, Luna turned it around. And then some.
Luna scored twice in the first three minutes of the second half, and finished with a season-high five goals, as the Sockers outpaced a spirited Vitesse Dallas side 11-7 at the Del Mar Arena.
“Paul Wright pulled me aside at halftime and told me to just relax on my shot,” said Luna, “After I scored one, I felt like the goal was huge and they started falling in.”
Luna’s monster effort pulled out a game that was in doubt from the first whistle until late in the fourth quarter. His fourth goal was a power play tally that snapped a 7-7 tie with 4:29 remaining. His fifth (and 19th of the season), at the 3:25 mark, finally gave the Sockers some breathing room.
Watch a postgame video interview with Chiky Luna after the jump: Continue Reading →
