What? Sockers get upset, eliminated; Legion rugby news

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 22, 2023

2023 LOCAL COVERAGE / G.L.A.S.S. Sports (*Gulls, Legion & Sockers, Seals)

From staff and wire reports

Sockers MASL Soccer

Defending champions ushered out in mini-game

SAN DIEGO -The two-time defending champion San Diego Sockers were one step away from defending the Ron Newman Cup as champions of the Major Arena Soccer League, but sometghing hasppened.

After caputring the first game of a two-game series, the Chihuahua Savage returned the favor by winning at Pechanga Arena on Friday, forcing a “mini” game to determine the West Division champion.

However, the mini game — a 150minute contest – also finished tied, so event went to sudden-death, with Savage forward Carlos “Poper” Hernandez hitting the game-winning to advance the secon0year franchise to its first Ron Newman Cup champonship series.

Saturday: Legion at Dallas, 2 p.m.

Nate Named Number 1

DALLAS – Major League Rugby has named San Diego Legion left winger Nate Augspurger as both the league’s Player of the Week, but also gained a berth to the MLR ‘First XV’ for Round 9 for his outstanding performance on Apr. 16.

Nate leads the competition with six ‘First XV’ selections this season. The next closest is (3) by Christian Poidevin. Augspurger also leads the league in tries scored (8), with two being called back in the last match.

In the Legion victory over the Chicago Hounds, 48-24, at Snapdragon Stadium, Nate had, perhaps the best play of the season by accepting a pass for a breakaway. However, knowing at age 40 he probably wouldn’t have scored, made a last-second, unselfish lateral to allow a teammate to score the try.

No wonder San Diego owns the best record (8-1) in the West Division.