San Diego Strikers Dominate WPSL Season Opener

San Diego Strikers opened up the 2022 Women’s Premier Soccer League regular season with an impressive 4-1 win over San Diego Parceiro Ladies at Mission Bay High School on Saturday, May 21. The Strikers continued the impressive play from last year that saw them undefeated in all six matches to take the Plymouth Division title in the team’s inaugural WPSL season.

“The team played great,” said Strikers head coach Ray Taila. “We had a good practice the week before leading to the game and the team executed our game plan perfectly.”

The Strikers got on the board early courtesy of midfielder Soledad Gomez who right-footed the ball past goalkeeper Tia Harrison in the 13th minute off a beautiful cross from defender Jordyn DiCintio. The home team extended the lead in the 41st minute when midfielder Jayden Montejano got a hold of a deflected ball and knocked it in from three yards sending the squad into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

There was no let-up to start the second half as the Strikers converted a penalty kick in the 50th minute courtesy of forward Kiera Bocchino. The star forward made her presence felt again in the 65th minute when she got by the Parceiro Ladies defense and scored from five yards out for the 4-0 final. 

The San Diego Strikers have yet to lose a game since joining the WPSL in 2021 going 6-0-0 last season and now winning their first game this year. 

“Next week’s match-up will be interesting as we face a team we have not played before,” Taila added. “We will stick with our game plan, assess the situation after the first 15 minutes, and make any adjustments needed.”

The Strikers will play So Cal Union FC in their next match, which will also be at Mission Bay High School on Sunday, May 29.

Author: Hector Trujillo