Sockers Season-Long Winless Streak Against Chihuahua Continues in 13-7 Playoff Loss

The San Diego Sockers again head home facing elimination as the Chihuahua Savage controlled Match One of the MASL Western Division Finals Thursday, winning 13-7.

The Sockers trailed 5-0 early in the second quarter and never recovered on the way to their most lopsided playoff loss in modern franchise history (dating to 2009).

To move on in their pursuit of the Ron Newman Cup, the Sockers must win Match Two at 5:05 p.m. Sunday at Pechanga Arena. That would force another must-win, a 15-minute Knockout Game to immediately follow.

Chihuahua continued their domination of San Diego this season, improving to 4-0. Hugo Puentes paced the offense with four goals and an assist, while team captain Roberto Escalante added a hat trick of his own.

Chihuahua excels at home – the Savage haven’t lost at Corner Sport Arena since 2023 to an American team – and the Sockers found themselves unable to match that intensity.

Escalante scored at 1:00 to give the Savage a lead they would never relinquish. Miguel Angel Diaz and Bryan Macias scored at 6:54 and 9:42 in a 3-0 first quarter.

Puentes’ first goal put Chihuahua ahead 5-0 at 3:14 of the second quarter. The Sockers scored their only goal of the first half on a replay challenge, as head coach Phil Salvagio threw his flag to obtain a foul in the crease and a penalty kick.

Kraig Chiles converted to make the score 5-1 at 5:34; the four-goal deficit held into halftime.

Goals by Chihuahua at 0:56 and 1:22 of the third quarter put San Diego behind 7-1, the Sockers’ largest deficit in the playoffs since returning to action in 2009.

Christian Gutierrez and Leonardo de Oliveira notched goals to put the Sockers within four, but Escalante re-established a five-goal lead on the power play when San Diego was called for too many men on the floor.

Tavoy Morgan answered at 10:15 of the third quarter, but San Diego conceded just 27 seconds later on Puentes’ hat-trick goal, making the score 9-4. Escalante and Chiles traded goals in the final minute to make it 10-5 after three quarters.

The fourth quarter was marred by a fracas in front of the San Diego net, as Chihuahua’s Santiago Ramos made contact twice with keeper Boris Pardo. Both sides drew multiple penalty cards, including a red card for Ramos.

Goals by Gabriel Costa and Gutierrez at 1:38 and 1:43 gave San Diego momentary signs of life, but Erick Tovar scored a power-play goal for the Savage at 6:55 to restore order. Puentes and goalkeeper Diego Reynoso added empty netters for the final score of 13-7.

Chihuahua is seeking a second straight league championship. Tickets are available online or by calling (866) 799-GOAL.