ELAC men’s soccer gets a win and a draw

MONTEREY PARK, CA — The East Los Angeles College men’s soccer team mustered a 1-1 tie today against Orange Coast College after controlling most of the game today. The Huskies returned home from Bakersfield on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory.

ELAC out shot Orange Coast 17-10 and took control early with an offense that split the defenders in the first half. ELAC sophomore goalkeeper Joshua Moreno (Montebello High School) had four saves in the first half.

ELAC scored on a penalty kick from sophomore defender Augustin Barros (Santiago, Chile / St. George College) in the 33rd minute.

The Orange Coast defense adjusted to ELAC’s offense in the second half.

“We (ELAC) lost the control in the second half when we started to play their game,” said ELAC sophomore midfielder Gustavo Silva (San Paulo / Fernando Gasparian).

The Huskies took four shots of goal in the second half to Orange Coast’s one, but couldn’t connect for a goal.

The communication for the Huskies was off. A fan from the stands shouted “stop fighting with each other.”

“Once we learn how to work together versus against each other things might start getting better,” said midfielder Jorge Mejia (Orthopaedic Medical Magnet HS). “I think a big factor on why we didn't beat OCC was because we need to get better at working as a team.  Our communication is not perfect but once we manage to fix that then we will be one deadly team.”

Against Bakersfield the Huskies play flowed in rhythm, from the beginning to the final whistle.

ELAC scored three first half goals. The minutes ELAC’s goals were scored were not recorded. The first goal was from freshman midfielder Edy Martinez (Animo Jackie Robinson HS) assisted by sophomore defender Andres Martinez (Santiago, Chile / Instituto Tabancura).

ELAC made it 2-0 from a goal from sophomore forward Valentin Mercado (Animo Ralph Bunche HS) assisted by Vasquez.

ELAC’s third goals was from freshman midfielder Guillermo Guzman (Jefferson HS) assisted by Mercado. Bakersfield scored in the 82nd minute.

“I think we won the game against Bakersfield because we got the control of the (entire) game,” said Silva.

Moreno had four saves for ELAC. Abel Gonzalez, the Bakersfield goalkeeper, had five.

The Huskies remain unbeaten in six games and stand 3-0-3. Orange Coast improved to 1-0-5 Bakersfield dropped at 0-2-1.

The Huskies play one game next week, a home game at Weingart Stadium against Los Angeles Harbor College (1-2-3) on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 3 p.m.

The two teams have two opponents, Southwestern and Orange Coast colleges in common. ELAC beat Southwester 5-1 while Harbor tied the 2-2. Each team tied Orange Coast, ELAC played to a 1-1 draw and Harbor tied the Pirates 2-2.

Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index and ELAC Huskies Athletics on Facebook.

story submitted by Tadzio Garcia