Soccer Season Ends in Third Round
November 29—Norwalk
The Condors advanced in the first round of the playoffs on PK’s at Long Beach, but fell last Friday to #2 ranked Cerritos on PK’s.
The OC Men’s Soccer team ran through the WSC schedule and looked as if they would reach the Final Four, for the first time in school history, but a post was in their way. Moments after Cerritos converted the first spot kick, John Lopez (All-American) strode confidently up to the penalty spot to take Oxnard’s first attempt, just as he had when he converted and Oxnard advanced past Long Beach City, 4-2, on PKs in last week’s regional quarterfinal. After sending the game into overtime, with a PK in the final seconds of the game, thirty minutes earlier, the ball glanced out instead of in.
“We shut down one of the top teams in the state and pushed them all the way and we’re a post from the Final Four,” Oxnard coach Ross Greaney said. “It’s a shame because this group of sophomores and freshmen deserve more than finishing with this feeling. But, wow, what a year.”
Lopez and his talented teammates battled tough road conditions all game, and brought great pride to the many Condor fans in attendance.
Men’s Soccer Advances to Third Round
November 25—Oxnard
Playing in the comforts of the Condor’s Nest, the Oxnard College Men’s Soccer team defeated Southwestern College, 4-1.
Johnny Lopez tucked in a goal early in the game, on an assist from JJ Leon to give OC a 1-0 lead. The Condors added a second goal by Christian Guzman who scored from a near-impossible angle. OC controlled the ball for the majority of the first half, and goalie Eduardo Garcia made a few solid saves to keep the score 2-0.
Southwestern broke through with a goal early in the second half, with an indirect penalty kick, just outside Oxnard’s goal.
Soon after, Sophomore Alex Garcia made a great move, crossing the Jaguar defense, and slid a great ball to put the Condor’s up 3-1. To end the scoring, Andres “Speedy” Mendoza stole a ball, outraced the defense the length of the field and fed Edwin Elizzaraz to complete the 4-1 victory in style.
“It sure was nice playing at home,” said Head Coach Ross Greaney. “We had the crowd, our great field, and solid play all going for us.”
Oxnard will travel to Cerritos College for a matchup against the #2 seeded team in the south. The two teams tied in their first game against each other, in a game played at Oxnard, 1-1. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 with admission at $10-General, and $7-Seniors, Juniors, Faculty, and Staff.
Go Condors!