Pirates hold on for 3-2 win over Bobcats
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saddleback (4-11-2, 3-7-1) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
|
Orange Coast (3-10-4, 2-7-2) | 2 | 1 | 3 |
COSTA MESA -- In was an inspired effort for the Orange Coast College men's soccer team as the Pirates pulled out a 3-2 Orange Empire Conference win over visiting Saddleback College on Tuesday inside LeBard Stadium.
After a frustrating 3-0 loss to the Bobcats during the first round of OEC play, the Pirates turned things around, outshooting Saddleback 13-7 and showed aggressive play all over the field.
Saddleback scored the first goal off a header by Talan Chauncey, but the Pirates used their noggin to even the score as a chip-in pass by Logan Yapelli found the head of teammate Ossy Portillo, who found the upper corner of the net to level the match at 1-1.
Just five minutes later, a long pass by Anthony O'Neill found Collin Lacher and the Pirate freshman buried his opportunity to put the Pirates up, 2-1.
But the Bobcats took advantage of an OCC foul in the scoring box, which resulted in a penalty kick, scored by Gus Roetcisoender in the 41st minute and both teams went to halftime tied at 2.
In the 66th minute, Zenden Berbari sent in a corner kick right into the mouth of the Bobcats' goal and the ball found Tristen Martinez, who deflected the ball into the back of the net, putting Coast up, 3-2.
From there, the Pirate defense and goalkeeper Cesar Pedroza (five saves) took care of the rest, keeping any decent scoring opportunities to a minimum for the remainder of the match.
Coast will return to action on Friday at Santa Ana College, beginning at 3 p.m. OCC's next home match will be on Wednesday, Nov. 12 against Cypress, also at 3 p.m.
