Sockers2 Drop Opener To Empire 4-2
The San Diego Sockers2 (0-1) open defense of their 2022 MASL2 championship with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Empire Jets (formerly Ontario Fury 2) at Pechanga Arena on Sunday afternoon. Quetzal Frose had two goals to lead the jets to the road win.
The contest was close throughout the day, but San Diego failed to find a serious offensive attack after opening the scoring at 5:42 in the first on an Anthony Pacheco Rodriguez strike. Mohamed Ndiaye scored 1:04 later to equalize the game. Jason Payne gave the Sockers2 the lead again at 8:14 in the first.
Empire struck twice in the second period to even and then took the lead for good on goals by Andy Vargas and Frose. The Jets (1-0) added their final marker at 4;26 of the fourth to conclude the scoring.
Empire's Brian Orozco made eight saves in the win, while San Diego played both Xavier Snaer-Williams (6 saves) and Yayo Olvera (2 saves) for a half each.
The teams will meet again in the return match on Tuesday, January 3, 2:00pm in Ontario.