Sockers Rally Behind Perera Hat Trick in Road Win

Jan 12, 2026 232 Views MASL

TOWSON, MD (Saturday, January 10, 2026) — Nick Perera recorded a hat trick and an assist, and goalkeeper Boris Pardo made 18 saves as the San Diego Sockers erased a 3-0 first-half deficit to defeat the Baltimore Blast 9-6 at SECU Arena.

San Diego (4-2-1, 13 points) scored seven second-half goals to earn its second road win of the season and its first victory on a six-match road trip that runs through the end of January. Baltimore fell to 3-3-2 (11 points), dropping its second straight home match.

Pardo was instrumental throughout, stopping multiple one-on-one chances and finishing with eight saves in the first half and ten more in the second. His late-game efforts shut down Baltimore’s push as the Blast pressed with a sixth attacker.

Baltimore jumped out early, scoring three times in the second quarter through Victor Parreiras (two goals) and Alejandro Chavez. Despite being outshot 20-11 in the first half, the Sockers closed the gap before halftime with two Baltimore own goals, both credited to San Diego pressure, to trail just 3-2 at the break.

The momentum swung early in the third quarter. Perera tied the match at 4:53 with a skillful finish from the left side, then completed his hat trick at 10:52 to give San Diego a 4-3 lead. Cesar Cerda added his first goal of the season moments later, extending the Sockers’ run to five unanswered goals and a 5-3 advantage.

Baltimore answered late in the third and early in the fourth to knot the score at 5-5, highlighted by Chavez’s first-time volley off a long goalkeeper distribution.

San Diego responded decisively. Rookie Adrian Reyes scored at 3:06 of the fourth quarter to break the tie, followed by goals from Kraig Chiles and Charlie Gonzalez, who buried a long-range effort into an empty net after intercepting a pass. Defender Mitchell Cardenas capped the scoring with his first goal of the season.

Despite traveling with a depleted roster due to injuries and national team absences, the Sockers controlled the final minutes and secured the comeback victory.

San Diego now heads to upstate New York for a Sunday afternoon matchup against Utica City FC, scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT. The match will stream live on MASL TV via YouTube.