Sockers Win Wild Shootout In Chihuahua 11-10 In OT

CHIHUAHUA, MX — Tavoy Morgan’s hat trick goal 18 seconds into sudden-death overtime ended a see-saw affair, as the Sockers outlasted the Chihuahua Savage 11-10 at Corner Sport Arena in Chihuahua. San Diego (6-0-1) won their second straight golden goal match against the Savage, improving to 4-0 on the road while prevailing in the highest-scoring match so far this season in the MASL. 

San Diego seemingly had the match won with 16 seconds remaining when Brandon Escoto, celebrating his 28th birthday, threaded in a perfectly placed goal on the power play for a 10-9 lead. Chihuahua (0-4-2) scrambled and received a foul call just outside the Sockers’ penalty area with two seconds on the clock. Brayan Macias’ roll-back pass was stepped over by top scorer Jorgé Ríos, and the man behind him—Roberto Escalante—smashed home the equalizing goal as time expired for a true last-second finish, forcing overtime at 10-10.

The Sockers controlled the first half, taking leads of 4-1 and 5-2 before holding a 6-3 advantage into halftime. In his second game playing for the club this season, Hiram “Pollo” Ruiz had three of his season-high five assists in the first two quarters, with captain Kraig Chiles netting his 5th and 6th goals of the season off set pieces. Chiles added an assist later for his 597th career point combined between PASL and MASL play. 

Chihuahua turned the match around with a spirited third quarter in which seven goals were scored, five for the home team. Enrique Cañez finished the frame with back-to-back goals, knotting the match at 8-8. In between, San Diego keeper Boris Pardo threw in a goal that deflected off a Savage player for his first goal of the year. 

After a hotly contested defensive fourth quarter, Savage rookie defender Uriel Zuart netted his first career MASL goal at 10:04 to put Chihuahua ahead for the first time in the match at 9-8. The Sockers answered at 11:24, with Morgan scoring his second of the match from Chiles. A blue card to the Savage’s Luis Medrano with 49 seconds left to set up Escoto’s momentary heroics. 

Gerardo Jurado, Christian Gutierrez and Felipe Gonzalez (two goals) also scored for the Sockers. David Gonzalez had two goals for Chihuahua, with Jorgé Ríos also pouring in two more goals for a six-goal weekend. Bryan Macias and Adrian Miller also added Savage goals. 

San Diego, now 3-0 on their four-match road trip, returns stateside for a quick turnaround and a three-match week. The Sockers travel back to Ontario for a Wednesday night 7:05pm kickoff from Toyota Arena, before hosting Tacoma on Friday night for Star Wars Night, at 7:35pm kick. Tickets are available for both the January 28 Tacoma match and January 30 match vs UCFC at sdsockers.com/tickets or by calling (866) 799-GOAL.

Boxscore