(San Bernardino, CA) The Mt. SAC Men's Soccer Team extended its winning streak to nine games, the longest in seven years, with a 4-1 win over host San Bernardino Valley College.
Forward Alan Piceno led the Mountie attack with a pair of goals during the Monday away game (Sept. 30).
"The team had a quick start in both halves, getting early goals," Mt. SAC Men's Soccer Coach Juan Sanchez said. "The second half was a better half for us. We played with more defensive intensity, which allowed us to score early goals. I'm happy with the overall play of the team."
Mt. SAC (9-0), the number one ranked team in the country, scored a goal early in the opening half and two goals within the first three minutes of the second half.
Piceno, with five goals this season, took a pass from midfielder Jesus Garcia, turned the SBVC defender and scored a breakaway goal, at the four-minute mark, for the 1-0 lead.
The first of the two early second-half goals came in the 47th minute, after a free kick from the far post from midfielder Herminio Padilla, which was tapped in by forward Angel Santoyo.
Just a minute later (48th), on an assist from Padilla, midfielder Paul Iniguez took a rebound, turned around alone in the middle and scored the third goal for the Mounties.
The Wolverines (7-3-1), ranked ninth in the state, broke the shutout with a goal in the 85th minute, to trail, 3-1.
Mt. SAC answered in the last minute of the game with Piceno's second goal. Forward Jared Jacobo recovered the ball and passed it to Santoyo, who played a through ball to Piceno.
Mt. SAC goal keeper John Samano, who made three saves in the game, won his fourth game. As a team, the Mounties took an incredible 22 shots in the game.
Mt. SAC will travel to Dallas (TX) for it's annual game against Richland College, this Saturday (Oct. 5). Richland (10-0) is the defending National Junior College Athetic Association (NJCAA) Division III National Champion and is currently ranked No. 2 in the country in the latest NJCAA DIII poll behind the Mounties.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.