The SQ Earthquakes kicked off the first game of the soccer season against the Bay Area team known as the Outsiders.
The Outsiders have played at SQ since 2017 and they currently play around the Bay Area while fitting SQ into their schedule this past April.
Opening Day started intensely as SQ grabbed the first possession.
The Outsiders also created scoring opportunities while forcing SQ’s backs against the wall.
After the first few minutes, the pace settled as both teams controlled the ball equally.
At the fifteenth minute, the visitors sent a strike to the goalie, but missed. Minutes later, the Outsiders scored the season’s first goal.
A sport rarity took place at the 19th minute when the visiting team’s goalie unintentionally scored a goal that spanned the length of the field. He made a long pass to his forward but the ball traveled over his head, confusing SQ’s goalie as the ball miraculously settled into the net.
Ironically, SQ soccer player, Ismael “Jalisco” Partida, played as goalkeeper for the visiting team and scored this rare goal.
The Outsiders led 2-0 SQ attacked the rival’s territory.
At the 30th minute, SQ scored with a corner-kick pass that headed into the goal for their first score.
At 2-1, the Outsiders attacked SQ and created numerous shots, which barely missed a third point.
SQ applied pressure on the visitors but the strategy backfired as the visitors secured a 3-1 lead off of defensive miscues by SQ.
Just before half, SQ soccer player, David Arias blocked a strike that stopped the Outsiders from gaining an insurmountable lead.
Halftime ended with the Outsiders leading 3-1 and the SQ Earthquakes regrouped to slow down the Outsiders.
At the first minute of the second-half, SQ almost scored an early goal but fell short as they did again during the tenth minute.
A few minutes later, SQ resident Ulises “Ronaldinho” James scored a goal to give the home team hope as he reduced the deficit to one.
SQ look improved but SQ resident Partida scored again for the visitors the Outsiders a 4-2 lead.
Outsider Caleb then scored a goal that put his team ahead for good.
On the next play, SQRC resident Jose Angel “El Salah” Reyes scored for the home team, which proved inspirational a second goal followed. The two scores made SQ one goal short of the Outsiders. Unfortunately, at 5-4, the scoring stopped as the Outsiders took the first victory of the year.
Dario Abramsriehn, captain of the Outsiders, said games against SQ’s team made him a better player and a better person. Abramsriehn added, “There’s people in the streets that really care about those who are locked away in prison.”
San Quentin’s coach Ronald Luna thanked the visitors and said how much it meant to the players to have the Outsiders come in and play soccer with them.
Luna expected a season full of excitement, especially since the sport received regulation-sized goalposts that lend a more professional vibe.
The Earthquakes scheduled their next games for May 24, June 1, and June 15.
—Michael Navarro contributed to this story.
