Men’s Soccer Wins First Conference Game of the Seaso

Fouls and yellow cards weren’t enough to stop the Corsairs from staying undefeated at home and winning their first conference game.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs men’s soccer team faced off against the Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Vaqueros for their first Western State Conference (WSC) North Division game of the season. Both entered the game with a win streak that was bound to end for either side. The Corsairs were able to squeeze out a 2-1 win in the final minutes of the match.

Midfielder Roey Kivity had a breakthrough in the first 20 minutes of the match with an assist from forward Alexander Lalor, making the score 1-0. The scoring remained quiet for most of the match, but that didn’t stop the action. The Vaqueros gathered two yellow cards from two offensive players, while the Corsairs received three. Lalor, Kivity, and midfielder Taj Winnard were the Corsairs to receive the yellow cards. They were all able to maintain their composure to remain in the match, and it would prove useful.

The Corsairs seemed to have the game locked down with a 1-0 lead with less than five minutes remaining, but the Vaqueros fought back and were able to equalize at the 88-minute mark. The score was leveled at one goal apiece, but the Corsairs weren’t finished fighting just yet. At the 90-minute mark of the match, defender Alvin Rivas scored the game winning goal, assisted by Winnard. The Corsairs hung on to their lead with a few minutes of stoppage time left and were able to secure the win. They are now 8-1-4 on the season, 1-0 in the WSC North Division, and 5-0-1 at home.

The next game for men's soccer is on Friday, Oct. 14 at Los Angeles Mission College at 6 p.m. Their next home game will be on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. against the Oxnard College Condors.