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Toth enters MASL season with increased expectations

After the conclusion of the 2016-2017 Major Arena Soccer League season, San Diego Sockers goalkeeper Chris Toth was selected to the all-MASL first team which also made the 2007 Fallbrook High School graduate the all-MASL goalkeeper of the year.

The honor means nothing in terms of the Sockers’ 2017-2018 season, which began Nov. 2, although it reflects the growth of the goalkeeper’s performance as well as increased expectations for Toth this season.

“It puts pressure on me that I have to kind of live up to now,” Toth said. “It’s definitely going to push me this year.”

The 2016-2017 Sockers reached the MASL’s Western Conference finals before losing to the Soles de Sonora in the battle for the league championship final. During the season, Toth led the league with a save percentage of .815, his 3.66 goals against average placed second among MASL goalkeepers, and he had a 9-2 record in his 11 regular-season starts.

“I think he really stepped up his game,” Sockers general manager Sean Bowers said. “We’re looking for another good season from Chris.”

Staff from the league office and the MASL teams voted on the all-MASL selections.

“That’s great. It’s a great accomplishment,” Sockers coach Phil Salvagio said.

Five field players along with Toth were placed on the first team.

“It’s something special for sure,” Toth said.

Toth also earned MASL goalkeeper of the month recognition for January 2017 when he saved 45 of 50 shots, with four of the five goals allowed being scored in the fourth period when the trailing opponent utilized a more offensive-oriented formation.

“It was a special year for me," said Toth. "I thought I did very well.”

Toth spent the 2009-2010 season on the Sockers’ developmental league team and split 2010-2011 between the reserves and the Sockers. He was the Sockers’ backup goalie behind Riley Swift in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 and took over as the Sockers’ primary goalie for the 2013-2014 season.

“He’s a franchise player,” Salvagio said.

Toth was named to the all-MASL third team for 2014-2015 but did not receive all-MASL honors for the 2015-2016 season.

As a Fallbrook High School junior in 2006, Toth was named to the Avocado League’s first team, but he had not previously received first-team recognition at the professional level.

“I felt like I had to get goalie of the year at some point,” said Toth. “Last year was the year, and I don’t see why I can’t get another one.”

A subsequent goalkeeper of the year award would be earned by Toth’s performance.

“You’re as good as your last game, and we start a new year,” Salvagio said.

Toth considers the 2016-2017 honor to be evidence of his improvement at the professional level.

“Every year I feel that I get better and better,” he said.

Last year the Sockers played 20 regular season games with Boris Pardo serving as Toth's backup.

“In the past I played most of the games," said Toth. "I think the plan this year is to try to split us up more. I think it definitely helps me that way. Obviously you want to play every game, but Boris is more than capable of starting for any team in the league.”

Pardo returns to complement Toth in the nets, and the Sockers have also added goalkeeper Austin Guerrero.

“I’ve got three top-notch goalies," said Salvagio. "It’s going to be competitive in the field.”

The regular season has been expanded to 22 games for 2017-2018. Twice this year the Sockers will play games on consecutive days, and on four additional occasions the Sockers will follow a Friday night game with a Sunday evening match.

“Chris and Boris will be playing a lot of games this year,” Salvagio said.

Pardo was the Sockers’ goalkeeper in the team’s season opener Nov. 2 at El Paso and saved 13 of the 18 shots against him in the Sockers’ 9-5 win over the Coyotes. Jesus Molina, who was the Sockers’ third goalkeeper last year, is now El Paso’s starting goalie and saved 18 of the 27 shots he faced against the Sockers.

Toth made his season debut in the Sockers’ Nov. 5 home opener against the Syracuse Silver Knights and saved nine of 14 Syracuse shots in the Sockers' 6-5 victory. Two of Toth's saves came in the final 20 seconds when the Silver Knights utilized a sixth attacker.

“We pulled it out in the end,” Toth said. “For me it’s kind of just do whatever I can to win the game.”

 

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