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It was dj vu from a year between the Sockers and the Chihuahua Savage in the Major Arena Soccer League Western Conference Finals.

For the second straight year, both teams won games home at their home venue in the first two games of the series, setting up a Knockout Game at Pechanga Arena to determine who advanced to the Ron Newman Cup finals.

It was a back and forth affair for the first 14 minutes of the 15-minute knockout game. The Sockers had a couple opportunities to score as time in regulation ticked down. Midfielder Leonardo de Oliveira had an opportunity to score but was deflected by the Savage goalkeeper, Berna Valdovinos.

As a result, the game went into a 10-minute overtime period, where the first goal scored on either side was going to send that team to the title.

Chihuahua forward Jaime Alejandro Romero was able to get the ball past Sockers goalkeeper Boris Pardo to the upper left portion of the net three minutes into the sudden-death period. The goal ended the Sockers season and their quest for a third straight title.

The knockout game is never easy, said Sockers forward Tavoy Morgan. You dont want to be the ones who get knocked off. Unfortunately, they came, they (did) what theyre supposed to do.

Sockers defender Guerrero Pino added that the Savage came out with a different mentality in theknockout game.

It was it was a hard game, Pino said. I mean, Chihuahua was the second team in the league throughout the season. They came out, they came out stronger on the on the mini-game and they deserved the win. I mean, theres nothing we can say about it.

We just have to prepare better for a better season next year and go from there.

Fridays heartbreaking loss came after the Sockers took down the Savage 6-2 in game two of the series to even the series and force the knockout.

The Sockers had put the game out of reach in the first game of the day as multiple players had the opportunity to get involved in the offense as 10 players recorded at least a point via a goal oran assist. Leading the Sockers was forward Tavoy Morgan and defender Mitchell Cardenas, whoeach recorded a goal and an assist.

Pardo recorded 13 saves in Game 2 and another three in the knockout.

Link:
Sockers' season ends with 'Knockout Game' loss to Chihuahua in ... - The San Diego Union-Tribune