Sockers Explode Early, Power Past Blast 10–5 to Close Grueling Road Trip

Jan 25, 2026 21 Views MASL

TOWSON, Maryland — Leonardo de Oliveira recorded a season-high four assists and Boris Pardo turned aside 22 shots as the San Diego Sockers rolled past the Baltimore Blast, 10–5, on Saturday night at SECU Arena on the campus of Towson University.

Five different Sockers posted multi-point performances, led by Andrew Estrella and Jesus Pacheco, who each scored twice in the win.

San Diego (6-4-1, 19 points) wrapped up a demanding month-long road trip with a 3–3 record, highlighted by two victories in Baltimore against the Blast (4-5-2, 14 points). The result carried extra weight, as the Sockers were without both captains Kraig Chiles and Cesar Cerda, leading scorer Charlie Gonzalez, attacking midfielder Luiz Morales, and four additional injured starters.

Despite the absences, San Diego burst out of the gate with five goals in the opening quarter and scored five of the final six goals to secure the victory.

Pardo anchored the effort once again. The 41-year-old three-time MASL Goalkeeper of the Year, pressed into full-time duty following a broken finger to Chris Toth in late December, rebounded from a difficult stretch by delivering timely saves throughout the match. His final stop of the night came on a shot from Alejandro Chavez, punctuated by an emotional celebration. The win marked Pardo’s fifth of the season and the 143rd of his MASL career, the most all-time.

The pace was frantic from the opening whistle, fitting the tight dimensions of SECU Arena. After weathering early pressure from Baltimore, the Sockers opened the scoring at 4:08 when Juan Salazar’s first-time shot deflected past Blast keeper Jorge Navarrete following a setup from de Oliveira. Seconds later, a costly misplay by Navarrete allowed Sean Callahan to redirect the ball into the net, doubling the lead.

Nick Perera extended the advantage with a free kick blast through the defensive wall at 6:40, but Baltimore quickly responded. Goals from Jairo Guevara and Juan Pereira pulled the Blast within one before Estrella answered late in the quarter. The rookie midfielder scored twice in the final four minutes, both off quick ball movement in tight space, sending San Diego into the second quarter with a 5–2 lead.

Baltimore clawed back in the second quarter. Nelson Santana scored from a sharp angle, and Ober Espina followed with a scramble finish to cut the deficit to one. San Diego responded immediately, as Jesus Pacheco finished a long outlet from Mitchell Cardenas, and Gabriel Costa added a highlight strike just before halftime. The Sockers entered the break ahead 7–4.

Baltimore changed goalkeepers at halftime, but Pardo continued to deny quality chances early in the third. A blue card penalty against the Blast opened the door for San Diego’s power play, where Costa and Pacheco connected again, with Pacheco blasting home his second of the night to make it 8–4.

The Blast managed a late third-quarter goal from Patrick Thompson to pull within three, but that was as close as they would get.

The fourth quarter featured rising tension and a flurry of cards following an elbow from Guevara, ultimately resulting in another San Diego power play. Tavoy Morgan converted from the edge of the crease at the 2:00 mark, pushing the lead to 9–5. Baltimore later pulled the keeper for an extra attacker, but Sebastian Mendez sealed the match with an empty-net goal at 13:45.

San Diego closed the night with a rare scoreless defensive quarter, snapping a streak of 11 straight quarters with goals conceded and finishing the road trip on a high note with a complete team performance.