Sockers Trample Dallas in 8-5 Win

The Dallas Sidekicks came to play a wide-open Major Indoor Soccer League game Tuesday night and played right into the hands of the first-place Sockers.

Steve Zungul scored three goals and assisted on two others, and Branko Segota had a goal and three assists as the Sockers cruised to an 8-5 victory in front of 7,049 fans in the Sports Arena.

The victory boosted San Diego’s record to 27-9 and extended the Western Division leaders’ lead to five games over idle Las Vegas. Dallas, in last place in the West, fell to 11-25 despite a hat trick by Tatu. “We came out with the right attitude tonight,” Sockers Coach Ron Newman said. “We weren’t lackadaisical and we came out ready to play.

“You have to give Dallas credit, they came out and went after goals instead of sitting back and putting five people in the (penalty) box.”

And that benefited the Sockers?

“Oh yeah,” Segota said. “If a team comes in like this, we have the unbelievable speed to punish them. But they had nothing to lose, and they came to play.”

Along with the three goals by Zungul--which gave him 50 for the sixth consecutive season--and one by Segota, San Diego also received scoring help from Jean Willrich, Hugo Perez, Jacques Ladouceur and Wadd Hirmez. Coming into the match, Zungul, Segota and Willrich had combined to score 33 of the team’s last 39 goals.

“I was happy to get a little scoring from the other guys tonight,” Newman said. “It’s time that the younger boys start producing. We can’t rely on our so-called All-Star team all the time.”

The Sockers broke the game open in the first half as Zungul scored twice and Segota notched a goal and three assists to help San Diego take a 6-3 lead.

After Tatu scored his 43rd goal of the season to give Dallas a quick 1-0 lead, Zungul and Segota went to work.

First, Zungul dug the ball out of the corner and passed to Willrich, who scored from the seat of his pants to tie the game, 1-1, at 5:35 into the first quarter.

On the next two goals, Zungul and Segota showed why they’re the top scoring duo in the league. On a three-on-two break, Zungul passed to Segota, whose shot was blocked by Dallas goalkeeper Jan Van Beveren. Zungul was there for the rebound, however, and he scored to give San Diego a 2-1 lead.

Moments later, Zungul and Segota came down on a two-on-one. After receiving a perfect pass from Zungul, Segota returned the ball to the MISL’s leading scorer, who beat Van Beveren for his 49th goal and 100th point of the season.

“Those open-field plays are our trademark,” Segota said. “When me and Steve get that situation, it’s pop-pop-pop and a goal.”

In the second quarter, San Diego had just four shots on goal but scored three times. Ladouceur scored his second goal of the season off a pass from Kevin Crow, and Perez scored on a power-play to give the Sockers a 5-2 lead.

After Tatu scored his second goal of the game, Segota drove one from the top of the penalty box that deflected off a diving Van Beveren’s ankle and gave San Diego its three-goal cushion at the half.

Socker notes

San Diego returns home Saturday night to face Pittsburgh. The special starting time for the contest is 8:35 p.m. . . . The Sockers close out the three-game home stand a week from Friday against Wichita.