Match Report // Boris Backstops Sockers 3-2 Win

MILWAUKEE, WI — Boris Pardo stopped 15-of-17 shots on his 40th birthday, including a point-blank attempt at an equalizer in the final minute, as the San Diego Sockers gutted out a 3-2 win on Friday night at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Leonardo de Oliveira, Drew Ruggles, and Brandon Escoto scored goals for the Sockers (18-4, 49 points), but defense ruled the night as San Diego matched a season-low for goals allowed.  

The Wave (15-6-2), playing without top veterans Ian Bennett and Marcio Leite, lost for the first time in regulation at home. Salvador Nuñez and Javier Steinwascher netted goals for the Wave, and Milwaukee nearly found an equalizer in the 60th minute. With an empty net on their end and six attackers on the field, the Wave worked the ball into the low corner for Max Ferdinand, who turned toward the net and drew a second defender toward him. Ferdinand slid a pass to Andre Hayne alone in the middle less than ten feet from the net, but Pardo moved over to parry the point-blank volley away, preserving the win.  

The Sockers and Wave took the measure of one another in a fast-paced first quarter which ended up scoreless. With very few whistles or stoppages, the play bounced back-and-forth across the field, with each team generating one excellent chance on net. The Wave saw a 3-v-1 out-manned rush come up just empty when Derek Huffman’s shot from the left wing hit the crossbar. The Sockers got a Chiles shot from the middle saved on a William Banahene sprawling kick save, with Drew Ruggles’ bicycle kick attempt on the rebound sailing just wide.  

Leo’s first chance to impact the scoreboard came early in the second quarter, and led to the first goal of the match. Picking off a pass just outside the attacking zone, de Oliveira threaded a pass to his left to Cesar Cerda, who attempted to center the ball to Kraig Chiles on the far post. The pass was deflected by a Milwaukee defender, leaving the ball bouncing in the middle of the crease. Leo pounced on the deflection and one-timed his shot inside the left post for his eighth goal of the season, and a 1-0 Sockers lead at 2:41.  

Milwaukee evened up the score with a determined goal inside their attacking zone. Alex Sanchez, possessing above the top of the crease, was brought to his knees on a Chiles foul, but maintained possession while on the turf. With the official playing advantage, play continued as Sanchez poked a pass from his seat to Salvador Nuñez on the left wing, who beat Pardo inside the far post with a well-struck shot at 5:37 for a 1-1 tie. Nuñez had another chance seconds before the half ended, but a well-weighted pass from Max Ferdinand to an open back post was mistouched by Nuñez wide of the net. Both clubs retreated to their locker rooms with a 1-1 tie at halftime.  

The defensive struggle continued through over ten minutes of the third quarter before the Sockers were able to break on top. Taking a pass from the right wall from Gabriel Costa, defender Drew Ruggles took a step to his left and saw a shooting lane up the middle, curving his strike around a defender and into the center of the net at 10:41 of the frame for a 2-1 lead. Seconds later, Milwaukee’s Andrew Wiedabach was shown a blue card for boarding, and the San Diego power play took advantage. Kraig Chiles’ wall pass short of the near post caromed out to right-wing, where Brandon Escoto ran on the ball to unleash a ferocious left-footed volley off the underside of the crossbar and into the net for his 26th goal of the season at 11:25, good for a 3-1 lead. 

The Wave clawed one back at 7:18 of the fourth quarter, as Javier Steinwascher maneuvered in on right wing and shot on net surprising Pardo, who saw the ball go between his legs for a goal, narrowing the lead to 3-2. Boris (14-3 record) and the San Diego defense locked down from there, as the Sockers improved to 10-1 away on the season.  

San Diego now travels across the state line to Missouri for their final road match of the regular season, a 4:05pm kickoff in Kansas City against the Comets. The Sockers return home on Saturday, March 30 to host the Tacoma Stars in the final regular season home match at Pechanga Arena. Tickets are available by calling (866) 799-GOAL or visiting sdsockers.com.