Strouse’s First Goals Are Big Ones

Andy Strouse won’t make anyone forget Dale Ervine, but the rookie forward made a memorable impression on the Sports Arena crowd Thursday night.

Strouse scored the first goal of his professional career in the third quarter and another in overtime as the Splash defeated San Diego, 8-7, in sudden death in front of an announced crowd of 3,842.

Strouse played because Ervine--fourth in the league in points (23) and goals (13)--couldn’t kick the ball. Ervine bruised his right foot in Saturday’s 8-3 victory over Portland in which he had three goals and seven points.

Strouse was asked afterward which goal he would most remember, his first, or his game-winner.

“The last one, I guess,” said Strouse, who played at Edison High, Orange Coast College and Southern Methodist before joining the U.S. national team in 1991-92. “Dale told me you’re only as good as your last shot on goal.”

There was a lot of margin for error on his last shot. Strouse was at the far post when Paul McDonnell shot from the side boards. All Strouse had to do was put a foot on it, and he did.

It was one of the biggest victories of the season for the Splash (6-3), which holds 1 1/2-game leads over the Sockers (4-4) and Sacramento (5-5). Ervine, a forward, was out, as was starting defender Doug Neely, who had a commitment to play beach soccer in Spain. Midfielder Raffaele Ruotolo (strained back) was going to play just on power-play opportunities and a few shifts, but he instead returned to the lineup a week early and had an assist.

“Those three, along with Sam George, are the leaders of our team,” said Danny Barber, who had two goals and an assist. “To win with two leaders out and one hobbled with a bad back. . . . It says a lot about our character.”

The Splash took a 4-3 third-quarter lead on Cal State Fullerton alumnus Kenny Hesse’s first career goal, but the Splash surrendered two goals within 73 seconds, and another 2 1/2 minutes later for a 6-4 Socker lead. Then its character really showed.

George scored twice and Paul Agyeman added another, 86 seconds later, for a 7-6 Splash lead.

Carlos Farias tied the score at 7-7 at 11:13 on a power play, but Ruben Fernandez--spectacular with 20 saves--stopped John Olu Molomo on a shootout with 1:47 left, and the Splash killed the power play, setting up Strouse’s ultimate goal.