Sockers2 Overcome Slow Start To Defeat Jets 14-6

By Dash Hammond

The San Diego Sockers2 (3-1-0) defeated the Empire Jets (2-3-1) 14-6 on January 17 at Frontwave Arena. San Diego was led by Irvin Mojica’s season-high three goals and three assists, as well as Max Rodriguez bagging a hat trick of his own.

With his hat trick, Mojica is now leading the Sockers2 in points with nine (5-4=9). He said, “I went into this game looking to play hard and secure a playoff spot for his Sockers.” The Sockers2 played all-out attacking soccer scoring a season-high of 14 goals to put them fifth in the West.

The Jets came out firing, immediately putting the Sockers2 on the back foot in the match's opening minutes. Just five minutes in, Christian Fernandez played a ball off the wall to Bryce Watson, who struck a perfect volley to break the deadlock and give the Jets an early lead. Moments later,  the pressure continued as the Jets doubled their advantage, capitalizing on their offensive momentum. The Sockers2 responded quickly, cutting the deficit 20 seconds after the second Jets goal. Brandon Escoto delivered a ball into the corner, where Rodriguez finished with a clinical first-time strike. However, the Jets remained relentless, with Petir Acevedo adding another goal to re-establish a two-goal cushion. Both teams traded blows for the remainder of the quarter, as the Sockers2 fought their way back with two more goals, while the Jets added another to maintain a slim lead. The fast-paced action set the stage for an intense second quarter, with Empire holding a narrow advantage.

After a tightly contested first quarter, the Sockers2 wasted no time asserting control in the second, leveling the game within three minutes as Rodriguez found the back of the net. From there, San Diego took complete command, rattling off five unanswered goals through the second and third quarters. The Jets showed brief signs of life midway through the third, netting back-to-back goals in an attempt to mount a comeback. However, any hopes of a rally were quickly extinguished as San Diego responded with another relentless scoring surge, adding five more goals to seal a 14-6 victory. 

Head coach Rene Ortiz credited the turnaround to a shift in mindset, stating after the game, “We changed the attitude after a shaky first quarter, making sure to go back to the basics to gain momentum.”

The Sockers2 travel to Ontario, CA for the rematch with the Empire Jets on Monday January 20, 2:35pm at the Toyota Arena.