Down a man, Huskies men’s soccer wins 5-1

CHULA VISTA, CA — Down a man in the 14th minute after receiving a red card, the East Los Angeles College Huskies men’s soccer team put together an intense battle and defeated Southwestern College 5-1.

After the red card, the Jaguars reacted with immediate pressure. The Huskies responded with communication that snapped into place with dauntless play.

“We were composed all around after the red card,” said ELAC assistant coach David Garcia. “We have very mature players, very smart, and everyone took care of their roles.”

ELAC scored in the 20th minute to lead 1-0.

Freshman midfielder Jerson Maravilla (Fremont High School), assisted by freshman midfielder Edy Martinez (Animo Jackie Robinson Charter HS) took a cross shot and drilled it to the left side of the Jaguar goalie.

ELAC scored a goal in the 57th minute. A corner kick bounced near Maravilla who, after some fancy footwork, did a turn-around move around a defender, cut in, and riffled a shot past the Jaguar goalie that put the Huskies up 2-0.

The fireworks continued for the Huskies who scored two goals less than two minutes apart.

The first goal came from Martinez in the 71st minute followed by a second goal from sophomore Luis Alvarado, assisted by freshman Kevin Rodriquez (Hawkins HS) in the 73rd minute.

ELAC’s fifth goal was in the 81st minute from sophomore midfielder William Morse (Fremont HS) who scored off an assist from Maravilla.

Southwestern added its lone goal in the 84th minute from Cesar Gamino (assist Armando Garcia).

The Huskies took 17 shots, nine shots on goal. The ELAC goalies had six saves.

ELAC and Southwestern have met in season openers for the fourth straight year. ELAC leads the series 2-1-1.

The Huskies (1-0) are on the road at Santa Ana College (0-0) on Wednesday, August 29 with a start time of 4 p.m.

This is the fifth consecutive meeting between the two schools. The series is deadlocked at 1-1-2.

story submitted by Tadzio Garcia