Sockers Beat Strikers, Stay Alive in Series
Call it inspiration or call it coincidence.
The fact is that Tacoma Star forward Steve Zungul practiced with and talked individually to most of his former teammates Wednesday morning.
Then, with Zungul sitting behind the Socker bench Wednesday night, his former team staved off elimination by defeating the Minnesota Strikers, 7-4, in front of 10,613 fans at the San Diego Sports Arena.
With the victory, the Sockers trail the Strikers 3-2 in the best-of-seven Major Indoor Soccer League championship series.
Game 6 will be played at the Met Center Friday night. Minnesota is 12-0 in home playoff games. If the Sockers win Friday, the seventh game will be played Monday night at the Sports Arena.
San Diego’s streak of four straight indoor titles was on the line Wednesday night.
The team had lost three straight and was battling internal strife as well as a talented Striker team.
Then a friend showed up.
“After talking with nearly all the guys,” Zungul said before Wednesday night’s game, “I had the feeling it would be a simple game tonight. I told them that I knew it was hard on them that I left in the middle of the season (Feb. 6).
“If I was here, we wouldn’t have these problems. But this is real life. . . . They promised they would play good soccer for me.”
The Sockers kept their promise.
“Steve is so experienced,” said Socker midfielder Branko Segota. “He pointed out some mistakes and we came out and played hard.”
Spurred on by a very loud and supportive crowd, the Sockers dominated Wednesday night’s very physical game.
“Against all adversity,” said Socker Coach Ron Newman, “the lads played like crazy. They were affected by the standing ovation. There was tremendous emotion realizing it could be our last game.”
Unlike Sunday’s game, in which they blew a 3-0 lead, the Sockers built upon their 3-0 and 3-1 leads.
San Diego’s killer instinct was there.
“This gives us back our self-respect and pride,” said Socker midfielder Brian Quinn. “We played as physically and emotionally hard as we can. The beat goes on.”
Captain Jean Willrich scored two goals and added an assist and Juli Veee, Cha Cha Namdar, Waad Hirmez and Hugo Perez added a goal. Segota scored an empty net goal and three assists.
Socker goalkeeper Jim Gorsek made a key save on Alan Willey at the end of the first quarter and finished with 10 saves on 25 shots.
The Sockers dominated a scoreless first quarter. One goal was disallowed because of a foul called on Perez and two balls hit the crossbar.
At 29 seconds of the second quarter, Veee scored his first goal of the championship series on a 20-foot right-footer from the right wing to make it 1-0.
Namdar made it 2-0 when he converted a cross-field lead pass to the right post by Willrich.
San Diego’s shooting barrage was on.
Seconds after a shot by Segota hit the crossbar, Willrich kicked in a loose ball from the penalty area to make it 3-0.
“We were probably too relaxed,” said Striker Coach Alan Merrick. “Maybe we thought by beating them three straight times, all we had to do was go on the field with them.”
Not quite. San Diego matched the Strikers elbow for elbow and picked up eight penalties, which is just two short of a playoff record.
The Sockers also had seven goals and never allowed the Strikers to find their rhythm.
After Willey scored a power-play goal to make it 3-1 early in the third quarter, there were a few nervous moments. Especially after Segota was stopped by Tino Lettieri on a shootout.
However, leading 3-1, the Sockers continued to attack and they got that all-important fourth goal. On a power play, Hirmez blasted a left-footer from the left wing to make it 4-1 with 6:23 to play in the third quarter.
Striker defender Dwight Lodeweges scored a power play goal to make it 4-2 entering the final quarter. Perez, Willrich and Segota added the finishing touches.
“I have faith in the guys,” Zungul said after the game. “If they play their style and believe in themselves, they will win. I already have a ticket for Monday night.”
Socker Notes
Socker forward Hugo Perez sprained his left knee in the final quarter and is doubtful for Friday’s game. . . . The MISL rejected the Sockers’ request to issue a belated red card to Striker goalkeeper Tino Lettieri for his altercation with Socker forward Ade Coker in Sunday’s game. No call was made during that game. MISL director of operations James Budish said the tape was inconclusive as to what happened. “It is difficult for the league to make a decision on something where there is so much question,” Budish said. Lettieri has one red card during the playoffs and will have to sit out a game if he receives another.
