Sockers Start Off Quickly, Hold On to Beat Steamers

Kevin Crow, Socker defender, had a strange feeling when his team took a 3-0 lead over the St. Louis Steamers Friday night.

On Wednesday, the Sockers had built a 3-0 lead over the Wichita Wings but lost, 6-2.

“It was like deja vu ,” Crow said. “We did not want another game like we had Wednesday night. We did not want to let them back in the game.”

Crow played a big role on defense in ensuring a different result Friday night as the Sockers defeated the Steamers, 5-2, in a Major Indoor Soccer League match in front of 3,849.

“This was a different game because we were very tight tonight and when we were up 2-0, and 3-0, they had not even gotten a good scoring chance yet,” said Ron Newman, Sockers coach. “The forwards were coming back and we played very well on defense. Kevin Crow was unbelievable. I would like to have 11 of him.”

Waad Hirmez scored a goal and added an assist and goalkeeper Jim Gorsek made 16 saves as the Sockers, leading in the Western Division, improved to 23-8. San Diego also has the MISL’s best road record at 12-5.

Ade Coker, a former Socker, scored two power-play goals to lead the Steamers (10-22), who have the league’s worst record.

“You have to give the Steamers credit,” Crow said. “They never gave up and they got back in the game.”

Gorsek, who got his 10th straight victory, smothered St. Louis’ scoring threats early on to help the Sockers take control.

“Jimmy looked so good,” Newman said. “He played with confidence and it was a perfect game for him again. He was just great.”

Said Gorsek: “They played us tough at home and they played very disciplined and they hustled a lot. They were disciplined tonight, but something was missing. We played great defense tonight--not just the defenders, but the entire team.”

San Diego scored first at 4:10 when Paul Dougherty’s shot deflected off St. Louis’ Chris Kenny and went into the net past goalkeeper Slobo Ilijevski.

Brian Schmetzer made it 2-0 at 7:29 when he scored from 40 yards out, and Hirmez gave the Sockers a 3-0 lead on a 30-yard shot in the second quarter.

The Sockers scored early in the third quarter when Bronko Segota scored at 4:23.

But then Coker scored at 14:28 and at 6:06.