Ruotolo Rolls 7 to Lead Splash

Raffaele Ruotolo scored four goals and had three assists to lead the Splash to a 9-7 victory over Monterrey on Friday night.

The victory gives the Splash (6-0) the Continental Indoor Soccer League’s best record and matches last season’s victory total by the franchise, when it was the Los Angeles United. It has a 2 1/2-game lead in the Western Division.

Monterrey (2-4), with its small field and boisterous fans, was expected to provide the Splash with its most difficult challenge on the four-game trip.

The Splash took a 4-0 lead before La Raza tied the score, 5-5, early in the third quarter. Ruotolo made it 6-5, then assisted Sam George 2 minutes 21 seconds into the fourth quarter to make it 7-6. Ruotolo provided the margin of victory with his fourth goal to put the Splash up, 8-6.

Armando Valdivia scored twice, and Doug Neely and Rod Castro also scored.