Strykers Shock Sockers in Overtime Thriller

Oceanside, CA — The Empire Strykers opened their 2025–26 MASL season in stunning fashion, silencing a sellout crowd at Frontwave Arena with a 5–4 golden goal victory over the San Diego Sockers. Mounir Alami delivered the decisive header just 1:14 into overtime, sealing Empire’s first win in Oceanside and snapping a 14-game losing streak to their longtime rivals.

The Sockers, who went a perfect 15–0 at home last season on their way to the Ron Newman Cup Finals, suffered their first home loss in franchise history at their new arena. Empire improves to 1–0 (2 points), while San Diego falls to 0–0–1 (1 point).

First Quarter: Strykers Flip Momentum After Early San Diego Strike

San Diego struck early when Keko Gontán dummied a pass to Gabriel Costa, then sprinted through the crease to finish Costa’s return feed for a 1–0 lead at 1:53.

Empire, however, dominated the remainder of the quarter with high pressure and relentless energy:

• 7:14 — 1–1: Alami stripped Mitchell Cardenas in the corner and buried a clean finish past Boris Pardo.

• 8:42 — 2–1 Empire: Marco Fabián blasted a quick free kick from the arc through Pardo’s hands.

The Strykers outshot San Diego 11–3 in the opening frame.

Second Quarter: Highlight-Reel Goals Trade Hands

San Diego equalized early in the second:

• 2:20 — 2–2: Jose “Bebe” Gonzalez’s shot off the boards fell perfectly for Taylor Walter Bond, who smashed home the rebound.

Empire answered with one of the prettiest goals of the night:

• 4:57 — 3–2 Empire: Steven Chávez served a driven ball to the far post, where Abdul Mansaray delivered a brilliant back-heel flick into the net.

The Sockers challenged the goal for an earlier foul, but replay showed a clean play — a decision that would prove costly later.

Behind five big saves from Pardo, San Diego kept the deficit at one entering halftime.

Third Quarter: Defensive Battle Breaks San Diego’s Way

Chances were scarce in a tense third period, but the Sockers found life late:

• 14:05 — 3–3: Bond danced through defenders outside the yellow line and slid a left-footed shot past Brian Orozco.

Orozco and the Empire defense had earlier survived a flurry that included a Cardenas shot off the post and a goal-line clearance from Isaak Somow.

Fourth Quarter: Missed Challenge Haunts San Diego

San Diego outshot Empire 7–1 in the fourth and briefly regained control.

A potential handball on Empire defender Robert Palmer went unreviewed — the Sockers had already burned their challenge in the second quarter.

• 8:41 — 4–3 Sockers: Off a midfield steal, Sebastian Mendez set up Charlie Gonzalez, who fired a twisting shot past Brandon Gomes.

Empire refused to fold:

• 12:37 — 4–4: Jorge DeLeon caught the Sockers off-balance with a low shot inside the near post, surprising Chris Toth and forcing overtime.

Overtime Magic: Alami Finishes What Orozco Starts

Empire needed just 74 seconds to complete the upset.

Goalkeeper Brian Orozco surged up the right wall and unleashed a driven shot toward the far post.
Alami elevated over the defense and nodded the ball past a diving Toth for the golden goal and a 5–4 Strykers victory.

Stat Leaders

Empire Strykers

• Mounir Alami: 2 goals, including OT winner

• Brian Orozco: 10 saves (.769) and game-winning assist

• Robert Palmer: 4 blocks

• Abdul Mansaray: 1 goal

• Marco Fabián: 1 goal

San Diego Sockers

• Taylor Walter Bond: 2 goals

• Charlie Gonzalez: 1 goal, 1 assist

• Keko Gontán: 1 goal

• Cesar Cerda: 3 blocks

• Boris Pardo: .750 save percentage

Empire finished with a 24–22 shot advantage.

Up Next

The Sockers regroup quickly as they host the Milwaukee Wave on Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 PM PT, live on MASL TV on YouTube.