Lazers Lose, and Sockers Rub It In
Coach Ron Newman has incited anger among opponents in the past, but after his San Diego Sockers beat the Lazers, 7-4, at San Diego Tuesday night, Lazer Coach Peter Wall promised a “blood bath” when the Sockers come to Los Angeles March 2.
With three seconds to play and San Diego leading, 7-4, Newman called time out and brought in Fernando Clavijo as his sixth attacker.
After the timeout, Socker midfielder Ade Coker claims he was kicked by Lazer defender Greg Willin and that Wall told Willin to kick him.
A fight broke out among players as they ran through the tunnel toward the locker room, and fans through cups at the Lazer players.
“They have to come to L.A., and it will be a blood bath,” Wall said. “This kind of thing leads to other things. It could have been an ugly scene.
“One day he (Newman) won’t be on top. It wasn’t necessary. That’s the bad thing. He’ll get his some day. I’ll tell you that now.”
Newman pulled similar maneuvers of calling timeouts in the final minute of one-sided victories in games against Wichita and St. Louis earlier this season. He also did it against Kansas City in the playoffs last year.
“I’m not bothered with it anymore,” Newman said. “When it’s the last game of the season, I won’t practice it anymore.
“I won’t apologize anymore. I don’t incite it (fight). They should try to defend against it.”
Said Lazer midfielder Greg Ion: “It’s one thing if the game is tied or it’s a one goal game. When it’s a three-goal difference and there are three seconds left, it shows no respect for the other team.”
Said Socker midfielder Brian Quinn: “I know lots of players don’t agree with it. I think we shouldn’t use it when the score is out of hand. It incites anger and frustration. I can understand the way the Lazers feel. I would feel the same way.”
Six Lazer regulars missed the game with injuries, including All-Star defender Gus Mokalis (bruised left ankle) and leading scorer Willie Molano (bruised left big toe).
Hugo Perez scored two goals for San Diego. Lazer goals were scored by Juan Cardenas, Nathan Sacks, Oscar Albuquerque and Poli Garcia.