Leila El Sabbagh
Sports Editor
The Empire Strykers celebrated their last home game Sunday at Toyota Arena against their rivals, the San Diego Sockers, losing 9-8 in overtime.
The Strykers were also celebrating defender Israel “Izzy” Sesay’s final game after announcing his retirement from the Major Arena Soccer League. The game began with honoring Sesay by making him the first Stryker in franchise history to have his number retired.
Sesay was drafted to the Los Angeles Galaxy in August of 2007 then later made his first Major League Soccer appearance in September of the same year.
Sesay came to the United States as an immigrant from Sierra Leone where he would begin to set new standards for players in the MLS and MASL. Sesay was a part of the inaugural Ontario Fury team which eventually rebranded to what is now known as the Empire Strykers.
Sesay scored the first goal in Fury franchise history against the Dallas Sidekicks.
“I don’t like to pull on the sentimental stuff because I don’t think it helps,” head coach Onua Obasi said. “I think it hurts. But I did tell the team, if you need a little extra energy this is his last game.”
Midfielder Marco Fabián shared his experience with Sesay as a teammate.
“It’s been a pleasure just to share the field with him and we’re going to try and keep going to give him a good send off,” Fabián said.
The first quarter was off to a quick start when Sockers midfielder Christian Gutierrez scored in the first minute of the game. The Strykers continued to put shots on the board throughout the first quarter but were ultimately unable to put anything past Sockers goalkeeper Danny Waltman.
It was not until later on in the quarter where defenseman Drew Ruggles was set up by midfielder Leonardo De Oliveira for another Sockers goal, updating the score to 2-0.
“They’re a top team,” Obasi said. “They’re probably the most all-star heavy team and they play like it, with so much confidence.”
As the second quarter kicked off, the Strykers had an early tripping penalty by defender Moustapha Gueye. This led to a shootout chance for Sockers forward Kraig Chiles where he was able to put the ball past Strykers goalkeeper Brian Orozco.
The first Strykers goal came from an even strength play where defenseman Robert Palmer dished the ball to midfielder Justin Stinson, making the score 3-1.
As the quarter continued, the Sockers were able to score two more goals giving them a two goal advantage going into halftime with the score being 4-1.
Another tribute to Sesay was given during halftime with the performance of “God Bless the USA” as he stood behind the singers with his family.
A more physical third quarter really showcased the teams’ rivalry. After a goal from midfielder Sebastian Mendez assisted by goalkeeper Clayson De Lima and another just a few minutes later by forward Luiz Morales, the Strykers found themselves in a five-goal deficit.
Three quick Strykers goals brought them within two. However, the Sockers were able to score a last minute goal, ending the quarter 7-4.
The Strykers mounted an impressive comeback led by forward Abdul Mansaray’s hat trick, giving them a late lead after trailing by five. However, the Sockers refused to let up and tied the game later into the quarter to force overtime at 8-8.
Four minutes in, a tense Toyota Arena watched the Strykers fail to score on two great opportunities for the game sealing goal. Even with a power play advantage, the Sockers were unable to get one past Orozco.
Despite the Strykers’ furious comeback attempt, the Sockers successfully read a collapsing defense and scored the game winning goal just 30 seconds after the home team’s offensive flurry.
“We have a style of play where errors can lead to goals quickly,” Obasi said. “The aim is to try and grind the team down and take over as the game wears on, which we didn’t do.”
With one game left in the season, the Strykers are 11-10-2 and looking to squeeze their way into the final MASL playoff spot. They face off against the Dallas Sidekicks on the road on Saturday.
Leila El Sabbagh can be reached at leila.elsabbagh@laverne.edu.
Leila El Sabbagh is the sports editor for the Campus Times. She is a sophomore journalism major with a concentration in broadcast journalism who aspires to be a sports broadcaster. She has previously served as a staff writer for the Campus Times.
