Ex-Sockers Help Lazers Defeat Champions Again

Just before they gathered their things and headed out the door to drive back to San Diego Saturday afternoon, Fernando Clavijo, Jim Gorsek and Waad Hirmez raved about the new soccer team in their lives, the Lazers.

After a 2-1 victory over San Diego before 4,885 fans at the Forum, the Lazers’ second win in seven days over the defending Major Indoor Soccer League champions, all three of the former Sockers were wearing smiles.

Even though they all still live in San Diego, their hearts are now in Los Angeles.

“This is a championship-caliber team,” Clavijo said. “I know what one looks like. We have no big stars, but everyone can hurt you.”

The Lazers are only 2-0 and have 46 games remaining, but Clavijo does have some experience when it comes to winning championships.

He was a member of three Socker teams that won indoor titles this decade.

Gorsek, meanwhile, was a member of six title teams. And, for the second game in a row against his former teammates, he played well. In last Saturday’s season opener, a 5-2 win in San Diego, Gorsek stopped 18 shots. Saturday, he stopped 16 shots, including a save on Zoran Karic’s penalty kick late in the third quarter that preserved the Lazers’ 2-1 lead.

Hirmez, who scored more points than any other player in last season’s playoffs, had given the Lazers the lead when he slipped behind the Sockers’ defense midway through the third quarter and received a pass from Ben Collins.

Hirmez, instead of controlling the ball, just redirected Collins’ length-of-the-floor pass on goal with his right foot.

Socker goalkeeper Zoltan Toth got a piece of the shot, but it rolled underneath him and into the goal.

The Sockers (1-2) took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Ralph Black in the first quarter.

The Lazers tied it 2 minutes later when Hector Marinaro scored his first goal of the season after taking a pass in front from Clavijo.