The win was already secured. The Sockers led Tijuana Revolucion 14-10 with just under 10 seconds remaining in the game and they controlled the ball at midfield. “We’re not going to score another goal,” Sockers General Manager John Kentera said to himself. “Just pass it back.”

Passing it back would have been the safe play, after all the Sockers secured the western division championship a week earlier and they need to keep their players healthy as they prepare for the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) Championship Series at the Cincinnati Garden on March 12-13.

However, moments later with just two seconds remaining, defender Dan Antoniuk rifled in the Sockers 15th goal of the night foraseason high. “I am in the back playing defense all the time,” says Antoniuk. “Why not take one last shot? We want to score as many as we can.”

Antoniuk has been scoring goals all season, he leads the Sockers defenders with 11 goals and 18 points (goals plus assists). So far this season, the Sockers defenders combined have 21 goals and 47 points. Those goals have helped give the team an 11-goal lead in the important goal differential category over the Cincinnati Kings who are the eastern division champions. The Sockers and the Kings are the favorites to meet in the championship game.

“The goal differential can mean a difference at the end of the season,” says Antoniuk. With only two games remaining the Sockers are tied with the Kings at 12-2. If they were to end the season tied, the goal differential will determine who secures the No.1 seed in the PASL Championship Series. The tiebreaker would also determine which organization would earn the right to host the championship series in 2012.

Star forward Kraig Chiles is another big reason why the Sockers have a lead in the goal differential category. Chiles had scored 26 goals on the season coming into Saturday’s game against Tijuana. That is just one behind Tijuana’s Eduardo Velez. The two engaged in an entertaining scoring battle with both players each netting four goals to keep the battle close on who will win this season’s Golden Boot honors for most goals scored.

Cincinnati’s Jeff Hughes is also in the running for the Golden Boot as he now trails Velez by three goals. Velez is running away with the league’s scoring title with 52 points, but four of his games were played against minor league competition in Mexico. Chiles, on the other hand, has faced the toughest schedule in PASL-Pro competition this season.

Chiles has 29 goals and 11 assists (40 points) and with the tougher schedule is a strong candidate to be this season’s league MVP. “It would mean a lot (winning the Golden Boot or MVP),” says Chiles. “But obviously individual accolades come with team success. If we were in last place they wouldn’t be talking about me as an MVP candidate. The team has got to win for individuals to be recognized.”

The Sockers now look to continue their winning ways as they seek revenge against the California Cougars at the Del Mar Arena this Saturday night at 6:15 p.m. The Cougars were the last team to beat the Sockers when the two teams faced off in Stockton earlier this season. A win over the Cougars is crucial if the Sockers are keep pace with Cincinnati for best overall record in PASL-Pro play.

Women attending this game are strongly encouraged to bring a designated driver. In honor of Valentine's Day, any woman 21 years of age or older in the Arena Room during the second quarter and through halftime will receive unlimited drinks courtesy of the Sockers.

Tickets are available at (866) 799-GOAL or by visiting www.sdsockers.com.

PASL-Pro Western Division Standings

Team W-L Goals Goals Against

San Diego Sockers 12-2 127 74

Tacoma Stars 9-6 96 100

Revolucion Tijuana 7-8 154 125

California Cougars 4-9 83 109