Chihuahua hangs first regular season loss of 2022-23 season on Tropics, 9-5

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Miguel Angel Diaz scored just five minutes into the game and the Chihuahua Savage never let up from there, rolling to a 9-5 win over the Florida Tropics in a Major Arena Soccer League game Friday night at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

The Tropics never led, and Chihuahua's biggest lead was four in the second half as the Savage improved to 2-0-1 while the Tropics fell to 4-1-1, but still remain in the first place in the Eastern Division. 

 The Savage had the better of play for most of the night, outshooting Florida 40-24.

Bryan Macias, Huge Puentes and Roberto Escalante each had two goals for the Savage, who also got goals from Edgar Gonzalez and Carlos Hernandez.

Florida, which trailed 5-3 at intermission, got two goals and an assist from Victor Parreiras. Zach Reget scored, extending his goal-scoring streak to six games, while Taylor Walter Bond and Rafa Alves also scored.

Florida will be on the road next Tuesday to take on the Empire Strikers, while Chihuahua will travel to meet the Monterrey Flash on Jan. 8.