Sockers Clinch the West Title : But Team Doesn’t Celebrate After Its 7-5 Victory

Should the Sockers win their fourth straight indoor soccer championship this season, they are going to need some practice on how to celebrate.

They clinched the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Western Division title Friday night by defeating Tacoma, 7-5, but were less than exuberant.

In the locker room afterward, there was plenty of chatter, but no champagne. In fact, players such as Branko Segota and Steve Zungul celebrated by drinking a soda.

“Hey, man,” Segota said. “We have lots of time between L.A. and San Diego. Then, we have six days before our next game.”

Segota was inferring the Sockers will celebrate after their game this afternoon at Los Angeles. After all, the players wouldn’t want to be playing against an arch-rival with hangovers. Plus, San Diego’s magic number still is two over Baltimore for gaining the home-field advantage during the playoffs.

Actually, the Sockers had clinched the division before beating Tacoma. Second-place Las Vegas was eliminated when it lost at Chicago, 2-0.

For some reason, it was decided to keep the Chicago-Las Vegas score a secret from the 8,877 fans at the Sports Arena until after the third period of the Socker-Tacoma game. The Chicago game had concluded shortly after the Sockers began playing.

“We didn’t want Chicago to win the trophy for us,” said Ron Newman, Sockers coach. “Otherwise, Chicago would’ve had to come here and take the lap of honor.”

The Sockers traditionally take a victory lap after each home win. However, their lap was very much in question until the fourth quarter.

Segota finally broke a 3-3 tie at 7:04 of the quarter with a left-footed goal from 20 feet out. It was to be the first of three Segota goals in the period.

“It could’ve happened in the first quarter,” Segota said. “Everyone had great chances then, but nothing was going in the net. It was getting frustrating.”

Another habit is becoming frustrating for the Sockers. Even against lowly teams such as Tacoma, they often do not put the game away until the fourth quarter.

“I’m a little concerned about that,” Jean Willrich said. “When you go to the playoffs, you face stronger teams. When you are two goals up, you should control the game.”

Willrich gave the Sockers a two-goal lead, 5-3, at 7:44 of the fourth quarter. But Gary Heale pulled Tacoma within one goal with 3:42 remaining, just 1:04 after the Stars had pulled goalie John Baretta.

Finally, Segota clinched the game by scoring into an open net with 2:50 remaining. He added his third goal with 1:31 to play. Tacoma’s Roy Wegerle scored a goal nine seconds later.

The Sockers had led at halftime, 2-1, on goals by Cha Cha Namdar and Jacques Ladouceur.

However, goalie Jim Gorsek pulled a leg muscle at the end of the half and was replaced by Zoltan Toth. Tacoma scored two goals in the first 1:30 of the third period, taking a 3-2 lead. Kaz Deyna tied the game for the Sockers at 10:41 of the quarter, 3-3, with his first goal since Feb. 6.

The Sockers were admittedly fatigued. Four of their players had participated in a World Cup exhibition game Thursday at Portland--Kevin Crow, Gorsek, Ladouceur and Hugo Perez.

Zungul and Newman argued about the World Cup game late Friday.

“When we finish this job,” Zungul said, “then they should think of the national team.”

Newman: “Steve Zungul should mind his own business.”

The Sockers’ business at hand concerns the playoffs. Ten of the 13 MISL teams qualify.

“It’s like the playoffs are half the season,” Willrich said. “Normally, we should be champions right now.”

But the Sockers have only taken their first step toward a fourth straight indoor title.