The two-time defending Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro) champion San Diego Sockers (2-0) kicked off their 2011-12 home schedule against the expansion Anaheim Bolts (0-2) at the Del Mar Arena on Saturday night. The evening began with the unveiling of their twelfth franchise championship banner which was followed by the distribution of championship rings. The evening ended with an exciting overtime sudden-death 7-6 victory.

Before the game general manager John Kentera beamed with pride when he handed out the team’s 2010-11 PASL Pro championship rings. Kentera, who took over as the Sockers general manager last season, has been involved in sports his entire life and the rings marked the first time he has be part of a championship team.

One ring recipient was wearing the opponents’ white jersey. Paul Wright, a fan favorite and long-time member of the Sockers, signed with the Bolts in the offseason. There were no hard feelings though. “It’s great,” Sockers head coach Phil Salvagio said. “Anytime Paul Wright is playing it is exciting.”

The Sockers opened the season a week prior against the Bolts in Anaheim. Wright did not play in that game, so Saturday marked the first-time Wright had played for his new team and against the Sockers.

The Sockers won the season opener in Anaheim 10-6. In that game they were lead by star forward Kraig Chiles, who had a hat trick (three goals) and four assists. Chiles was the both the league’s regular season MVP and championship series MVP last season.

On Saturday night, however, for most of the game the Sockers did not look like the same championship team that ended the season. “We are a bit sluggish and a bit slow right now,” Salvagio said. “But give (the Bolts) credit. They came out and they had a good game plan and played physical against us. When we tried to bounce from it, we were making fouls. So, it was very hard for us.”

Three times Anaheim scored on power plays which helped them build a 5-2 lead late into the third-period. The Sockers took advantage of an own goal early in the fourth-period to claw within a goal. With 8:57 remaining, midfielder Eduardo Velez kicked his first goal as a member of the Sockers to tie the score at 5-5.

The Bolts then took a 6-5 lead on midfielder Hugo Casillas’ second goal of the night.

The Sockers pulled goalie Riley Swift in the final minutes of the game. With just over a minute remaining in the game, Chiles hit a blistering shot to the corner of the net, but, Bolts goalie Jose Melina dove making a spectacular save on the potential game-tying goal.

Seconds later, however, Melina was called for touching the ball outside of the box. Midfielder Majell Aterado then found the net on the free kick with just 0:46 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 6-6.

Midfielder Brian Farber won the game with 9:34 remaining in overtime when he headed in a rebound off of midfielder John Krause’s shot.

“The game winning goal was real cool,” said fan Fin Walters. Walters was at the game with his Blue Bull Dogs soccer teammates who play in the Carlsbad Wave boys under 12 division. “I had a blast. I was a little scared, but I knew they were going to come back and win because they are a really good team.”

Walters was joined by his coach Jody Watkins who was appreciated the opportunity to share professional soccer with his team. “I think it is huge,” Watkins said. “You see them having a great time here. They were having a great time during the entire game. They all have smiles on their faces and they want to come out here and play on the field, so I think it is great motivation.”

Emotions ran high for both teams after the game, but Kentera spoke positively of the Bolts. “It was a heck of a game,” Kentera said. “We were very fortunate to get out of here with a win. They are physical and quick. We have a lot of work to do, but I don’t want to take anything away from Anaheim. In a lot of ways, maybe they deserved to win that game tonight.”

Salvagio is excited about the budding rivalry with Anaheim. “Oh yeah!” he exclaimed. “Especially with them being right up the street. We had a great crowd tonight (2,621). A lot of their fans drove down as our fans went up last week.”

“We play these guys two more times,” Kentera said. “If you are a fan, you might want to call the box office on Monday. There is no doubt there is a spirited rivalry before, during, and sometimes after the game.”

Next Saturday at 7:05 pm. the Sockers look to move to 3-0 on the season and extend their overall home record at the Del Mar Arena to 26-0 when they take on Revolucion Tijuana, their rivals to south.