San Diego Loyal defeated FC Tulsa 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Torero Stadium in what turned out to be the craziest ending so far this season. The Loyal had the first clear chance to score in the match after midfielder Nick Moon was taken down in the box, but the ensuing penalty kick was missed when team captain Charlie Adams hit the crossbar on the conversion attempt in the 27th minute.
San Diego had a couple more opportunities to draw first blood but was unable to capitalize first on a missed shot by forward Evan Conway in the 46th minute and then on a header from defender Grant Stoneman in the 61st minute that was deflected away by goalkeeper Michael Nelson. The team, led by head coach Nate Miller, eventually broke through in the 63rd minute when Conway took a great cross from Adams and tapped the ball in for his 11th goal since joining San Diego Loyal and the 1-0 lead.
FC Tulsa responded quickly however courtesy of forward Rodrigo da Costa who beat goalkeeper Koke Vegas from point-blank range in the 63rd minute to tie the match 1-1. It looked like both sides would have to settle for a draw, but then the game’s final play happened and ended up being something that Loyal fans will remember all season.
In the 94th minute, Moon sent a cross into the box after his team was able to somehow maintain possession of a free-kick that bounced around without the visitors being able to clear. That’s when the ball found the head of FC Tulsa midfielder Collin Fernandez who tried to knock it out of bounds but instead ended up scoring the perfect header into the back of his own net that Nelson was unable to keep out for the 2-1 final.
San Diego took all three points and now finds itself only one point behind western conference leaders Sacramento Republic and San Antonio FC both with 11 as they now prepare for a road match versus New Mexico United on April 15.
SOCKERS
The San Diego Sockers locked up a trip to the MASL western conference finals after a resounding 8-0 victory over the Mesquite Outlaws on Saturday night at Pechanga Arena San Diego. The Sockers were led by a hat-trick from team captain Kraig Chiles who tops the team with five goals this postseason after finishing the regular season with 21 goals and 20 assists. The two-game series versus the Outlaws started with a 7-1 win for the Sockers on Friday at Mesquite Arena in Texas after Mesquite had made it to the playoffs by beating the Tacoma Stars in their single elimination match on April 5.
The San Diego Sockers now await the winner of the Chihuahua Savage versus the Monterrey Flash on Monday night to see who its opponent will be in the western conference championship. The Sockers went undefeated in their five combined matches against the Savage and Flash during the regular season on their way to a 22-2 record and second-straight Supporters Shield.
ARENAL DE GOMEZ
Arenal de Gomez FC came back from an early deficit against Nomads SC for a 2-1 victory on Saturday evening for their second-straight win this UPSL spring season. Nomads took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute and were able to hold the lead into halftime in front of their home fans at Torrey Pines High School. ADG FC managed to regroup at the start of the second half and slowly began imposing its will on the Nomads which paid off with goals by forward Tito Ramirez followed by the eventual game-winner from midfielder Brandon Zambrano.
The victory was sweet revenge for the defending Southern California South Premier champion Arenal de Gomez who suffered its only defeat last season at the hands of the Nomads in week two. ADG FC now prepares for its upcoming match on April 15 again City SC Temecula at San Diego Mesa College.
Photos courtesy: San Diego Loyal, Eddie Trujillo, Luzrayito Reynoso
