Late-Game Score Leads Hawks Past Imperial Valley

After a late score from Imperial Valley, all signs pointed to a second-consecutive draw for the Santiago Canyon College men's soccer team on Tuesday afternoon. Despite the overwhelming probability of a tie, the Hawks struck for the third and final time in the 87^th minute compliments of freshman Noah Lopez who buried the team's final chance leading to a 3-2 victory.

Lopez scored his first-career goal on a counter as the clock approached the 90-minute mark. Lopez gathered a pass on the near side and dribbled through two defenders to catch the Imperial Valley goalkeeper off balance leading to the game-winner.

It was the second time the Hawks held the lead against a chippy and short-handed Imperial Valley squad, who hails just north of the Mexican border.

After a score from the Desert Warriors in the 36^th minute, Santiago Canyon evened the score to 1-1 as freshman Braydon Cerminelli bagged his first-career score on a pass from freshman Tanner Riebe minutes before halftime.

The Hawks pushed on the gas pedal in the second half as sophomore Hudson Dare earned a goal on a dual assist from freshman Tristain Amacio and sophomore Andrew Marentes.

Scoring fell stagnant as the game progress inside the 80 minute mark with freshman Brandon Baruch, sophomore Ricky Walker and freshman Tyler Reid grasping the defensive reigns.

However, a penalty kick just outside of the box awarded Imperial Valley and opportunity to knot up the game at two-all and they capitalized. Nevertheless, Lopez had other plans by sealing the game-winning score moments later.

Freshman goalkeeper Diego Saldivar (1-0-1) earned the victory by going the distance between the pipes. He allowed two goals and recorded two saves.

Santiago Canyon outshot the Desert Warriors, 15-12, with six of the shots landing on target. Cerminelli fired off a team-high five tries, with one finding the back of the net and two banging off the post for three shots on goal.