Men's soccer team battles back to beat Glendale
Sep 15, 2009
The Irvine Valley men's soccer team hopes it jumpstarted its season Tuesday afternoon.
The Lasers, who were coming off a tough 3-1 loss to Moorpark on the road last Thursday, looked in trouble Tuesday at home against Glendale, falling behind, 2-0, in the first half.
But IVC scored three goals - one late in the first half and two in the second half - and shut down Glendale the rest of the way to earn an important 3-2 victory.
The Lasers improved their overall record to 3-3-0.
The match Tuesday was Irvine Valley's final one before starting Orange Empire Conference play on Sept. 29 at Riverside.
"It was a good win and we are very grateful to get it," IVC Coach Martin McGrogan said. "We still have to limit our mistakes, but I was proud of the way the boys came back. Hopefully we can build on this."
Glendale scored goals in the 24th and 41st minutes to go up, 2-0.
The Lasers got one back on the board in the final minute of the first half. Freshman midfielder Facunda Chena sent a long throw in into the box. The ball bounced off a defender and then freshman forward Edward Zepeda knocked it in.
The Lasers tied the game 10 minutes into the second half with their best goal of the contest. Zepeda beat a defender on the left side and then sent a pass across the goal mouth where freshman forward Andy Martinez was waiting to tap it in.
Martinez gave the Lasers the lead for good with 10 minutes left in the contest. He won possession of a loose ball, moved into the box and then beat Glendale's keeper with a shot for IVC's 3-2 lead.
IVC dominated the second half, out-shooting Glendale, 11-3. The Lasers won the shot battle, 18-6, for the game.
IVC freshman keeper Kurt Bond had to make just two saves in the match. Freshman defender Jesus Castillo also helped out by clearing a ball off the IVC goal line late in the contest.