Men’s Soccer Edged by Golden West

The Santiago Canyon College men's soccer team entered an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) contest against the Golden West College Rustlers on the hunt for their first conference victory. The Hawks netted a goal in each half, but two early scores from the Rustlers held them at bay leading to a 3-2 defeat.

The Hawks had a pair of opportunities in the final minutes of the contest, but a save by the Golden West goalkeeper and a shot just wide left of frame halted them from bringing the score to an even three all.

The Rustlers netted two goals in the first half with the opening score coming in the 21^st minute and the second in the 31^st minute. Freshman midfielder Andrew Marentes took matters into his own hands moments later and trimmed the Hawks' deficit to one by hammering in his fifth goal of the season.

SCC got off to a strong start in the second half by tying the contest at two all compliments of a score from freshman forward Jorge Garcia Cruz which was assisted by freshman forward Diego Rivera. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Golden West's Francisco Vieria went on to score his third goal of the game in the 80^th minute which banged off the far post and shot in past the outstretched arms of SCC goalkeeper Juan Pablo Alvarez, thus resulting in the loss. 

More than half of the Hawk's attempts landed on goal with eight finding the frame on 14 attempts. Freshman forward Nick Asam, who was pushing to score in the final minutes, lead the team with five shots. Rivera followed with four tries, while Garcia Cruz unleashed a trio of times. Alvarez (2-5-3) hauled in seven saves in the loss and went the distance.