Nogueira, in Rare Start, Leads Sockers to Third Victory in Row
To get an idea of Victor Nogueira’s contribution to any success the Sockers have had this season, one need only know that Nogueira, the second-string goalkeeper on a team with only two goalies, came into Monday night’s game against the Tacoma Stars ranked third on the team in victories.
Nogueira had played in three games, all on the road, and lost three. That put him behind Zoltan Toth, who has four victories, and Ralf Wilhelms, a defender , who picked up a victory when Toth was injured during a game and Coach Ron Newman had elected not to dress Nogueira.
Before the game against the Stars, however, Newman decided it was time for Nogueira to play at home. And Nogueira turned some heads along with turning aside the Stars in a 4-1 victory in front of 7,272 in the Sports Arena.
Newman announced afterward that Nogueira’s performance was impressive enough to think about rotating goalkeepers the way he used to with Toth and Jim Gorsek. Toth had started 9 of the Sockers’ first 12 games.
“The way Victor played, I would really consider going back to a rotation,” Newman said. “That way, both goalies would stay sharp.”
Nogueira was happy to hear that, but he was happier to finally break into the win column. Goalkeepers aren’t exactly thrilled to be trailing defensemen in victories.
“Actually, I wasn’t that worried about it,” Nogueira said. “I knew this was a good team, and with good teams, you’re going to get your wins.”
The Sockers actually haven’t been a good team for most of this season. But they might be on their way to becoming one. Monday’s victory was their third in a row and with a 6-7 record, the Sockers have moved into a virtual tie for fourth place in the Major Indoor Soccer League with the Stars (7-8).
The Sockers took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter, extended it to 3-0 early in the third quarter, and then Nogueira wrapped things up in tidy fashion.
“This really was just a well-played game,” Newman said. “We got on top, and then we didn’t let them back into the game. We didn’t allow them any momentum. It was a nice, neat victory.”
The last time Nogueira played in the Sports Arena was in March when he played with the Cleveland Force. Midway through the third quarter of that game, he tripped on the rug and ruptured tendons in his ankle. He missed the rest of the regular season.
“I’m feeling well now,” Nogueira said. “And I think it’s good that I have eased into things slowly this season. Playing behind Zoltan hasn’t bothered me because I think he’s the best goalkeeper in the league. I’ve learned a lot of things just watching him play.”
Nogueira made 13 saves and played in control all night. He was always positioned correctly, losing his shutout only when he failed to handle a drive by Dave Hoggan, and Ali Kazemaini scored on a rebound with 7 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Sockers took the lead 4 minutes into the game when Branko Segota spotted Zoran Karic streaking down the left side and fed him a perfect pass between two defenders. Karic collected the ball and beat Tacoma goalkeeper Mike Dowler with a low, driving shot.
Karic scored on a pass from Brian Quinn in front at the 11:48 mark of the first quarter to give the Sockers a 2-0 lead. Karic leads the Sockers with 10 goals.
Cacho scored early in the third quarter to make it 3-0, and Steve Zungul scored his sixth goal in as many games since joining the Sockers a month ago to make it 4-1 21 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Socker Notes
Paul Dougherty played in his 88th consecutive game as a Socker Monday night, tying Jean Willrich’s team record. But it was hardly a night for celebration. Dougherty, who scored 40 goals last season, was held without a goal for the eighth game in a row. . . . The Sockers play in Wichita Friday night before returning home to face Kansas City next Monday at 6:05.
