Men's soccer gets first win
PALM DESERT, CA — The men’s soccer team won 2-0 at College of the Desert yesterday after opening the regular season with a 1-1 tie against Southwestern College on August 28 at home.
In the shutout win against Desert, the Huskies scored in each half. In his return as a Husky, sophomore Albert Chamagua (Glendale HS) struck first in the 45th minute with a set-up from freshman midfielder Hugo Flores (Animo Robinson HS).
Freshman forward Raul Zamorano (Huntington Park HS) added a winner for ELAC in the 85th minute off and assist by freshman forward Jovani Alvarez (Colorado Lakewood HS).
ELAC worked well as a team and dominated on both sides of the field with its aggressive play. The Huskies racked up 25 shots to Desert’s six shots, including 11 shots on goal.
Husky freshman midfielder Javier Gutierrez’s (Montebello HS) movement was impressive. He had seven of ELAC’s 25 shots.
Other Husky shot attempts were from Chamagua (six), Zamorano (4), freshman midfielder Jorge Chavez (Cathedral HS) with two, freshman midfielder Lucas Siliviera (Salvador, Brazil Oficina) also with two and one each from freshman defender Jonathan Banda (Whittier Adult School), freshman Josue Garcia (Bell Gardens HS), freshman midfielder Alvaro Torres Pera (Cali, Columbia San Luis) and freshman forward Valentin Mercado (Animo Ralph Bunche Charter HS).
Freshman Alexis Castellanos (Bell Gardens HS) was the ELAC goalie for the entire game in the shut out win.
The 1-all tie in Weingart Stadium pitted the then (SoCal) No. 2-ranked Southwestern against the then No. 3-ranked Huskies in a battle that did not disappoint.
The draw was well earned, garnering respect from a team that just missed being ranked No. 1.
"It’s a draw, but it’s over and behind us. Let’s move on,” said Elan Jose Lopez. “It was a good (start) of the season. We had our chances. The defense did very good.”
Southwestern opened the scoring at minute 18 with a goal from sophomore forward Adrian Ramos (San Diego Montgomery HS) assisted by freshman midfielder Esteban Correra (San Ysidro HS).
The Huskies countered with a freshman forward Carlos Salinas (Montebello HS) score at the 35th minute off an assist from Banda.
The teams were matched on shots on goals with ELAC’s nine to the Jaguar’s eight.
The ELAC goalie duties were split between freshman Brian Paredes (Cathedral HS) in the first half and freshman Joel Magana (Jefferson HS) in the second. Paredes had four saves, Magana had two.
The Huskies are No. 7-ranked in the state ahead of Top 20 ranked South Coast Conference rivals, Mt. San Antonio College (4-0) the defending state champion and upstart Long Beach City College (1-0-1). SCC teams won six of the previous the state title in seven years.
ELAC continues non-conference play hosting San Bernardino Valley College on Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. followed by three road games.
story submitted by Tadzio Garcia