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Chiles and Sockers stun Cougars 5-4 in San Diego
Friday Nov 20, 2009
Kraig Chiles scored the games first goal, the equalizing point in the fourth, and the golden goal winner during San Diego’s 5-4 overtime win versus California (0-1) at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Arena on Friday night. The Sockers (3-0) scored three unanswered goals in the fourth to tie the match, and picked up the game winner at the midpoint of the overtime period.
The defending Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro) champion Cougars led for most of the match. They took a 3-1 lead into the second half and led 4-1 after the third quarter. The Sockers took advantage of two power play situations to first take the lead, and to get back into the match in the third quarter.
Nino Medina halved the lead to 4-2 in the fourth with a goal that was scored just :22 seconds into the quarter. The comeback continued when former Cougars forward Aaron Susi scored a power play goal midway through the fourth. The power play opportunity arose when Craig Scheer was called for a slide tackle at midfield. Chiles later tied the match at 4-4 with 2:37 remaining in the contest.
Chiles then scored the winning goal in overtime in was set up after Paul Wright stole a restart pass from Ato Leone to Majell Aterado. Wright stepped into the pass, took it the length of the field, but failed to make the shot. California goalkeeper Jesus Molina stopped Wright’s game winner attempt. However, he was not able to react fast enough to save Chiles’ open look winner. Aterado attempted to clear Wright’s shot, but was not able to get it completely clear of the San Diego offense. Chiles took advantage and scored the final goal of the match.
The Cougars controlled possession of the ball for most of the game. However, they found themselves back on defense in the fourth while San Diego fought their way back. Jesus Molina made one incredible save after another to keep the Cougars ahead until the final minutes.
Neither team scored in the first half. San Diego took the lead on Chiles’ second quarter goal. Nelson Santana struck California’s first goal of the 2009-10 regular season to tie the match at 1-1. The tie broke moments later when David Vedder streaked across the field for a goal against Susi and Riley Swift of the Sockers.
Aterado closed the first half with short handed goal with :27 second remaining to give California a 3-1 lead.
The Cougars went up 4-1 when Scheer scored his first goal of the new season. His goal came with 12:03 left in the third. It ended up as the only offense California could muster in the second half.
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