COMETS KNOCKOUT SOCKERS IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE

by Nathan Dunn

INDEPENDENCE, MO — The Kansas City Comets (14-6-4) used a six-goal fourth quarter to earn their sixth straight win with a 10-6 victory against the San Diego Sockers (18-5-0).

On the night where the Comets honored the career of the legendary Leo Gibson, the Comets displayed their resilience and raced past their Western Conference rival for the second time this season.

The Comets started hot with two goals in the opening eight minutes. Lucas Sousa got things going with a strike 4:28 into the contest assisted by Ramone Palmer. Leo Acosta doubled the Comets’ lead assisted by Rian Marques.

The second quarter swerved in favor of the Sockers as they leveled the score 2-2. Kraig Chiles got the visitors within one with a power play goal before scoring again 5:02 into the second quarter.

After being held scoreless in the second frame, the Comets got back on the board when Zach Reget scored his 33rd goal of the season. The Comets’ 3-2 lead was short-lived as the Sockers came rushing back with a score from Christian Gutierrez and a power play goal from Brandon Escoto to take a 4-3 lead. Michael Lenis brought the Comets level 4-4 with a smash from short distance, but the Sockers restored their one-goal lead when Gabriel Costa slotted in another power play goal for San Diego.

Trailing 5-4 going into the fourth quarter, the Comets found another level of energy to go on a six-goal run. Marques got it started with an unstoppable run before dinking the ball past the onrushing keeper. Ray Lee then stepped forward and smashed his effort in before Ramone Palmer scored his 12th of the season. Reget put the Comets up 8-5 before Christian Anderaos tallied another against the sixth attacker. Reget completed his hat trick to put the Comets up 10-5 before Escoto pulled back a late consolation for the Sockers.

Reget’s hat trick certainly helped his MVP candidacy. He now stands solo at the top of the points leaderboard with 48 and goals leaderboard with 25.

It was much more than Reget. It was an entire team with different players stepping forward in key situations. Head coach Stefan Stokic commended his team for always finding a way to win over the past six game stretch.

“No matter how things go, we always find a way to win,” Stokic said. “The belief and drive they have to win is unbelievable. When things aren’t going our way, we are still finding a way to win. I’m very proud to coach these guys.”

The Comets now await the score of the Sunday’s matchup between the Milwaukee Wave and Monterrey Flash. If the Wave lose in regulation, the Comets will likely finish third in the East and will likely play Utica City FC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. If Milwaukee wins or loses in overtime, KC will finish fourth in the East and will face Monterrey in the conference semifinals.

The Ron Newman Cup Playoffs will be returning to Cable Dahmer Arena regardless of where the Comets finish. Stay tuned in to Comets social media to stay updated on playoff news.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st – KC Sousa (Ra Palmer) 4:28; KC Acosta (Marques) 7:17. Penalties – SD Escoto (bc- unsportsmanlike conduct) 6:40; SD Escoto (yc- severe unsportsmanlike manner) 6:40; KC Flores (bc- unsportsmanlike conduct) 6:40; KC Flores (yc- severe unsportsmanlike manner) 6:40.

2nd – SD Chiles (Gonzalez) 1:43 PP; SD Chiles 5:02. Penalties – KC Lee (bc- holding) 0:20.

3rd – KC Reget 2:47 PP; SD Gutierrez (Gonzalez) 4:24; SD Escoto (Morgan) 6:22 PP; KC Lenis 10:33; SD Costa (Escoto) 13:19 PP. Penalties — SD Moregan (bc- tripping) 1:22; KC Sousa (bc- tripping) 4:49; KC Reget (bc- unsportsmanlike conduct) 10:32; SD Ortega (bc- unsportsmanlike conduct) 10:32; KC Ro Palmer (bc- contact above the shoulder) 11:36.

4th – KC Marques 1:47; KC Lee (Flores) 2:13; KC Ra Palmer (Lee) 4:26; KC Reget (Lee) 8:52; KC Anderaos 11:38; KC Reget 11:48; SD Escoto (Costa). Penalties – KC Sousa (bc- tripping) 13:44; KC Marques (bc- boarding) 14:42.

Power Play – Comets 1/3, San Diego 3/7

Penalty Minutes – Comets 19, San Diego 11

Fouls – Comets 24, San Diego 26

Shots – Comets 33, San Diego 36

Blocks – Comets 15, San Diego 9

Attendance – 5,454