Lazers Beat Champion Sockers in Overtime, 4-3

After winning their season opener last Friday night against the new and unproven New York Express, the Los Angeles Lazers knew that the first legitimate test of the rebuilt team’s prowess would come against the San Diego Sockers Thursday night at the Forum.

The Lazers passed the test as they came from behind, took the Sockers into overtime and then beat the defending champions, 4-3, on Willie Molano’s 20-foot shot at 2:21 of the extra period before 3,906 fans.

Molano scored three goals, including the winner on a breakaway.

“We’ve been working hard lately,” Molano said. “They’re a great team to play against.”

Molano, who has five goals in two games, displayed superb ball control.

“Molano has played two games consistently, it’s something he hasn’t done in the past,” Lazer Coach Peter Wall said.

Trailing, 2-0, going into the third quarter, the Lazers looked as though they might give in to San Diego’s high-powered attack.

But outstanding goalkeeping by David Brcic and a relentless second-half attack by the Lazers boosted Los Angeles’ record to 2-0.

The Sockers dropped to 2-1.

San Diego Coach Ron Newman said: “It was one of the worst games we ever played. Everybody wanted everyone else to do the running.”

Stuart Lee started the comeback by dribbling the ball through the Socker defense and faking out goalie Jim Gorsek, bringing the Lazers within one.

At 8:24, Juli Veee headed the ball to Jean Willrich, who scored to give the Sockers a 3-1 edge.

Molano began his assault on the San Diego defense in the fourth quarter as he brought the Lazers within one on a power-play goal just 12 seconds into the period.

Molano’s second goal at 4:30 tied the game at 3-3.

The first quarter was scoreless as both teams were seemingly content to rely on their defensive abilities, taking just four shots apiece.

But in the second quarter, San Diego took charge--temporarily.

After a direct kick in the Lazer zone, midfielder Raffaele Ruotolo took a pass by Waad Hirmez off the glass and pushed the ball past Brcic to give the Sockers a 1-0 lead.

Then at 8:55 into the period, Veee slid the ball behind Lazer defender George Fernandez to Hugo Perez, who connected on an eight-footer past Brcic, and San Diego led, 2-0.

The Lazers had their chances to get on the board but were often stifled by Socker goalie Zoltan Toth and defender Kevin Crow, who always seemed to be in the right place, breaking up several Lazer passes near the goal.

The Sockers outshot the Lazers in the first half, 9-8, but were outshot in the game, 25-19.