First-Place Sockers Win Seventh Straight Game

The San Diego Sockers improved to a league-best 9-1 record on the strength of a Brandon Escoto hat trick and two goals from Brian Farber to defeat the Tacoma Stars 9-4 on the road. Goalkeeper Boris Pardo made nine saves to earn his league-leading ninth win. San Diego has won seven consecutive matches since a 5-4 loss to Tacoma at home on December 22.

For the fifth consecutive match, the Sockers allowed the first goal when Tacoma's Rafael Cox opened the scoring at 6:21 of the first period. San Diego scored the next two goals by Kraig Chiles and Taylor Bond.  Chiles (14-6=20), who leads the team in scoring, has a nine-game point streak. Tacoma finished the half with a Nick Perera marker to draw even at 2-2. 

The Sockers tallied four of the next five goals to claim a 6-3 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the contest. Escoto, Farber (2-1=3). Leonardo De Oliveira (1-0-1), and Felipe Gonzalez (1-0=1) found the back of the net past Tacoma goalkeeper Danny Waltman. 

The Stars played most of the fourth quarter with the sixth-attacker with mixed results. Tacoma scored a goal to cut the lead to 6-4, but then minutes later allowed Escoto to score his second goal of the game to restore San Diego's control.

San Diego returns home to meet the improving Turlock Express on Sunday, January 20, 5:05 p.m. at Ron Newman Field at Pechanga Arena San Diego. The Sockers will be celebrating Youth Sports Night with fans receiving a Free Sockers Retro Logo Hat while supplies last.  To help those affected by the government shutdown, the team is providing a free ticket to furloughed government workers with proof of ID at the Arena Box Office on Sunday. Flex, group, and single game tickets are on sale now by calling 866-799-GOAL (4625) by visiting Sockers.com or AXS.com (Search: Sockers).