The San Diego Strikers have opened the 2022 WPSL season with back-to-back wins after defeating So Cal Union FC 3-0 on May 28 at Mission Bay High School. The team was coming off a convincing 4-1 victory over San Diego Parceiro Ladies the week prior and is still undefeated since joining the league last season.

“I felt we started slow the first 10 minutes and we got away from our game plan,” said Strikers head coach Ray Taila. “Once we settled down and started to play simple, we started to play with confidence and took control of the game.”

San Diego took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to forward Kiera Bocchino who was able the beat the So Cal Union FC defenders and strike the ball past the goalkeeper. San Diego would take that lead into halftime dominating the second half of play with two more goals from Bocchino in the 54th and 70th minute to complete the hat trick.

The former University of California San Diego striker now has five goals over the first two games, which ties her with Women’s Football Club of Charlotte forward Emma Sexton for the league lead.

San Diego had other chances to score throughout the match including a shot that hit the post early in the first half from midfielder Maddy Samilo and a penalty kick that hit the crossbar in the final minutes by forward Ellissya Andino.

“We scored some great goals and created great opportunities that we did not capitalize on as their keepers made some great saves,” Taila added.

The Strikers are in first of the Plymouth Division standings and will next face Breakaway SC at home on Saturday, June 5. The two teams faced each other twice last season with San Diego coming out with the victory both times 5-0 and 4-1, respectively.

Photo Courtesy: David Frerker