Black Signs One-Year Contract With Sockers

Defender Ralph Black, who filled a void last season after Fernando Clavijo left the Sockers for the now-defunct Los Angeles Lazers, has signed a one-year contract to return for a second season with the Sockers.

The Sockers have now signed 11 players from last year’s championship team.

Black, 25, played in Tacoma for five seasons before signing with the Sockers as a free agent last September. Last season, including the playoffs, Black played in all 62 games, scoring eight goals with 15 assists.

“I’m happy to be back,” said Black. “I never talked to any other teams.”

RUGBY

Five players from the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club were selected to the 21-man U.S. national rugby team.

Mike Saunders, scrum half, was picked as captain. Brian Vizard, Bill Leversee and Kevin Higgins were also named starters. Chris Lippert, a former San Diego State All-American, was relected as a reserve.

The team, called the Eagles, will play Ireland in New York on Sept. 9 and Canada in Toronto on Sept. 23.