Quinn Uses Head for First Goal as Sockers Win
Brian Quinn has difficulty shooting off his right foot because of a sprained ankle and has trouble pushing off his left foot because of a sore toe.
But his head is fine.
The Socker midfielder scored on a diving header midway through the third quarter to break a 1-1 tie and propel the Sockers to a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Lazers Saturday afternoon in the Forum.
Quinn passed to himself off the left board and scored when he headed the high-bouncing rebound past goalkeeper David Brcic.
“It gives you satisfaction when you plan something and it comes off,” Quinn said. “It’s premeditated.”
It also was the first goal of the season for the Socker midfielder, who had 23 goals last year and was the most valuable player in the Major Indoor Soccer League playoffs.
“Before the game, I thought Quinnie can’t go eight games without a goal,” Socker Coach Ron Newman said. “What a great goal that was today. He’s getting 5% better every game. He’s not where he was in the playoffs last year because he’s not 100%. He’s not using all his firepower yet.”
Quinn was hurt against the Lazers in a Nov. 20 game in the Forum. He missed six games with a sprained right ankle and has been playing in pain since his return five games ago.
“I’m still not right,” said Quinn, who sat in the locker room with ice packs and bandages on both feet. “I’m getting better, but if I hit it in the wrong spot it hurts. It’s no fun to play when you’re hurt. But sitting in the stands is even worse.”
Quinn is as gutty as he is aggressive and explosive. So far this season, the Sockers have been lacking an inspirational player who comes up with the big play.
Saturday, Quinn got his team going in a lethargic game in front of 5,016.
“It was not that difficult a game,” said Socker midfielder Jean Willrich, who had two assists. “It was just a matter of time before we got two or three goals.”
Despite playing without five injured regulars, the Lazers were tied with the Sockers at 1-1 in the third quarter.
Los Angeles (4-10) had beaten the Sockers in both meetings this season and the Sockers (8-6) had lost two straight entering the game.
“They made it very difficult for us to break them down,” Newman said.
Then Quinn scored to give San Diego a 2-1 lead and the momentum. In the fourth quarter, Branko Segota scored on a right-footer from the box to make it 3-1.
A Willrich-to-Ade Coker-to Hugo Perez series of precision touch passes resulted in a Perez tap-in to make it 4-1.
“We don’t play like that anymore,” Willrich said of the goal.
Socker Notes
Branko Segota contract update: “I will probably get back to them (Sockers) this week,” Segota said. “By Wednesday, we should know everything.” Segota turned down a six-year, $1.25-million contract earlier this season and said he would like to sign a two- or three-year contract. . . . Juli Veee missed his fourth straight game with a pulled left hamstring. “I need a couple more days to get in shape,” said Veee, who sat in the stands Saturday. Veee said he was fined by Coach Ron Newman for missing a training run Wednesday morning. “I ran on my own earlier that day,” Veee said. “I’m old enough to know what I need.” The amount of the fine was not disclosed. . . . Zoltan Toth made 15 saves on 22 shots to raise his record to 7-2, and David Brcic made 18 saves on 29 shots. “Brcic was bloody brilliant again,” Newman said. “It was like manna from heaven when the ball went past him. . . . And Zoltan was brilliant. He’s playing well because what he’s saving is not coming back for a second chance.” . . . Last season, the Sockers were 7-6 before they won 13 straight.
