Sockers W Wins Inaugural Match 5-1
The San Diego Sockers W women’s team defeated the Empire Strykers Women 5-1 in its inaugural match in front of an electric crowd of just over 1,000 fans at Frontwave Arena on Sunday afternoon. The exhibition game, which featured four 12-minute running quarters, is part of a two-game series between the clubs to test the market for potentially securing a MASL-W franchise for the 2026-27 season.
Both sides created early chances in the first quarter, but strong defensive plays and key saves from Sockers W goalkeeper Maria Gabriella Cordero kept the match scoreless. The Strykers struck first, as Kassi Massey-Ortega derived a precise pass of the right-side wall to Jennifer Reyes, who finished with a one-touch goal at 9:22 of the first.
After a scoreless second quarter, Empire took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Sockers W were a different team in the third quarter. Players, who fed off the home crowd’s energy, seemed to find themselves and responded by playing much better. Grace Thao has the honor of scoring the first-ever Sockers W goal as she buried a shot into the upper right corner off a set-piece assist from Ashley Utrilla to level the match at the 5:35 mark. Moments later, Utrilla connected again-this time playing a pass off the end boards to Sarah Funk, who converted a one-touch finish inside the box to give the Sockers a 2-1 lead.
San Diego took full control in the fourth quarter, pouring in three goals to put the game out of reach. Sarah Funk added a tap-in marker off a set-piece; Abby Dillon capitalized on a rebound from a long-range effort, and Thao capped the night with a steal and a composed finish past the goalkeeper for her brace on the day.
Cordero made 12 saves, with some being of the spectacular variety, to earn the win in goal.
Utrilla was named Player of the Match for her two-goal performance.
“Oh my gosh, like, we made history. It was so amazing,” said co-head coach Paul Wright. “The talent on the field, the energy from the fans, the energy from the players...yeah, it couldn’t have gone better.”
The teams meet next Sunday in Ontario at Toyota Arena to conclude the series.