Brandon Escoto scores four, Sockers earn first win of season
SD Sockers
Let the rest of the MASL know: Brandon Escoto is back.
Two days after dropping their season opener to the Kansas City Comets and playing without captain Kraig Chiles, the San Diego Sockers (1-1) were powered by an explosive game from Escoto to win their eighth straight game over the Dallas Sidekicks (0-4).
For the first quarter, it seemed like San Diego was as sluggish as they were on Friday against Kansas City. The Sidekicks took advantage by taking seven shots on goal, but a different Sockers defender met each one.
Dallas broke through for the first time in the second quarter after Julio Varela beat goalkeeper Boris Pardo (7/8 shots saves) for his first goal of the game.
A Freddy Moojen blue card gifted the Sockers with a power play, which San Diego happily accepted. A minute into the power play, Escoto slipped undetected into the corner of the field and behind the Dallas defense. Hiram Ruiz, sensing an opportunity, sent a pass his way, and Escoto secured his first goal of the game.
It’s Escoto, @gosidekicks, Ess—Koh—Toe. He’s gonna make you learn his name. #InItToWinIt pic.twitter.com/OxqqPuXiv0
— San Diego Sockers (@SanDiegoSockers) January 31, 2021
The Ruiz-Escoto connection found success a second time in the second. A behind-the-back pass from Ruiz allowed Escoto to spring forth and slice through two Sidekicks’ defenders and, with a powerful left boot, found the back of the net to put San Diego in the lead at 2-1.
The second half saw a keeper switch for San Diego as William Vanzela (12/14 shots saved) was put to the test shortly after a Leonardo De Oliviera goal. Kristian Quintana and Jonathan Segura both challenged Vanzela with shots, but both were turned away by the former Blast keeper.
Both teams continued to grapple with each other, but Dallas was able to sneak a shot past Vanzela to cut San Diego’s lead to one.
Two more Brandon Escoto goals in the fourth quarter sealed the Sidekicks’ fourth straight loss of the season and San Diego’s first win of the season.
I am currently attending San Diego State University while working on achieving a major in journalism. At SDSU, I write for The Daily Aztec while also hosting the sports radio show “Picked Off”, for KCR Radio. A loyal fan of San Diego sports, I hope to bring content that you will enjoy reading.