The New Zoltan Toth. . . : Socker Goalie Showing Spunk
SAN DIEGO — It was a brief interaction, but it represented a significant change in Zoltan Toth.
The setting: In the fourth quarter of the Sockers’ second playoff game against Tacoma last Tuesday night, former San Diego forward Steve Zungul lined a right-footer into the far corner of the net past Toth. After scoring, Zungul--who used to torment Toth unmercifully when they were both with the Sockers--pointed a finger at Toth and raced into the net to retrieve the ball.
And to aggravate and annoy Toth.
A year ago, Zungul’s action probably would have rattled the nervous Socker goalkeeper. This time, a looser and considerably more confident Toth got revenge.
Toth took the ball from Zungul and uttered a few choice words.
“I told him not to point a finger at me because I would break his hand,” Toth said.
Zungul--who was born in Yugoslavia--cursed back in his native language, and the game resumed.
San Diego won, 7-2. Toth made 15 saves to raise his playoff record to 3-0 with a 3.00 goals-against average. He defeated St. Louis, 5-3, and made 21 saves in the Sockers’ 10-4 victory over the Steamers in the series-clinching fourth game.
What a difference a postseason has made for Toth, who is scheduled to start Wednesday night in the fourth game of the Western Division finals against Tacoma. San Diego leads the series, 2-1.
Last year, Toth had a jittery playoff (3-2 with a 5.92 goals-against average) and was overshadowed by the performance of Jim Gorsek. This year, the tables have turned on the rotating goalkeepers.
“Zoltan is going through a beautiful moment right now,” said Socker defender Fernando Clavijo. “Lately, he has been superb. He has a lot more confidence than he did in the playoffs last year and he has matured a lot.”
He also has relaxed. Toth’s smiles have become as much a part of his arsenal as his acrobatic kick saves.
“When Steve was here,” Clavijo said, “Steve and Branko (Segota) used to get on him all the time. That made him nervous. Zoalie changes a lot when he gets nervous.”
When nerves overcome Toth, the ball tends to slip through his hands and the net appears to be a mile wide.
“A couple of times I’d tell Stevie or Branko not to say a word to him during the games,” said Coach Ron Newman. “I felt that getting on him wouldn’t make him a better goalkeeper.”
His teammates feel that additional confidence has made Toth a better player than he was in the playoffs last season.
“Now, he doesn’t let things rattle him,” said Socker defender Kevin Crow.
Playoffs are nervous time and last season they made Toth nervous. Coming off an excellent regular season (18-3 with a 4.21 goals-against average), Toth was bombarded in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Gorsek was brilliant in the playoffs (7-1 with a 2.44 average) and was selected to start the deciding fifth game in the semifinal series against Minnesota even though it was Toth’s turn. Toth was coming off an 8-5 loss to Minnesota in the third game, and Newman felt more confident going with Gorsek.
“He (Toth) was going through a nervous spell,” Newman said. “It had to do with having more confidence in a player at a critical time. Obviously I didn’t do it to please personalities.”
As would be expected, Toth was disappointed and a little hurt at not starting the team’s biggest game of the season last year.
“The coach decides what he decides,” said Toth.
This year in the playoffs, Toth has been the hot goalkeeper and Gorsek (2-2 with a 5.36 average) has had some tough moments. How about the Sockers’ 7-6 overtime win against St. Louis in their series opener and an 8-7 loss to the Steamers in St. Louis?
“Jimmy was very hot last year,” Newman said, “but he hasn’t dropped in performance. However, Zoalie is an excellent goalkeeper who has been playing exceptionally well.”
Might Newman break his rotation and play Toth instead of Gorsek in this year’s playoffs?
“Not now,” Newman said. “But it’s good that each goalkeeper keeps the other on his toes.”
Toth agrees that he is more confident in the playoffs this season, but he doesn’t think he has played better.
“I played about the same last year as I have this year,” Toth said. “But last season, I played against teams when they were hot. “
The Baltimore Blast defeated Toth and the Sockers 10-6 in the third game of the championship series last year. Two days later, Gorsek was in goal when the Sockers crushed the Blast 14-2.
“I played well last season,” Toth said, “but I was unlucky. “
This postseason, Toth is both lucky and loose.
Socker Notes The Sockers will play at the Sports Arena Friday night at 7:35. If the Sockers lose to the Stars in the fourth game of their Western Division finals Wednesday night in Tacoma, they will play the deciding fifth game Friday night. If San Diego defeats Tacoma Wednesday night, it will face Minnesota in the opening game of the championship series Friday night. Game 2 of the championship series would be played at 6:05 Sunday night at the Sports Arena. If San Diego defeats Tacoma Friday night, the championship series against Minnesota will begin Sunday night at 6:05. Minnesota defeated Cleveland three games to one to win the Eastern Division title. During the regular season, the Strikers won all three meetings against the Sockers. . . . Midfielder Branko Segota is training with the Canadian National team in Colorado Springs and will rejoin the Sockers in Tacoma in time for Wednesday night’s game. Segota, hampered by a sore muscle above his right knee in the Sockers’ loss last Thursday night, is expected to play Wednesday. He leads the Major Indoor Soccer League in playoff scoring with 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points. . . . The MISL Board of Directors has scheduled a conference call today to finalize discussions concerning the admittance of the New York Express into the league. The Express would replace the Pittsburgh Spirit as the league’s 12th team. The Spirit folded last month. . . . Remember Dynamo Kiev? That’s the Soviet team the Sockers defeated 6-4 in an exhibition match Dec. 11 at the Sports Arena. Well, Dynamo Kiev--which is a lot more comfortable playing the outdoor game--defeated Atletico Madrid 3-0 Friday to win the European Cup Winners Cup.
