Corsair Home Opener Spoiled by Fullerton’s 2 late goals to bring the match to a draw in Final minutes
In their first home game of the fall season, Santa Monica College’s (SMC) men’s soccer team stumbles again at the finish line with a 4th straight tie in their afternoon game against Fullerton College.
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Corsairs took on the Fullerton Hornets in an afternoon home opener. They were looking for their first win since starting 2-0 on Aug. 22, suffering three straight ties to leave them at 2-0-3 heading into the game. Against a Fullerton team that entered the game 1-2-1, it was as good a chance as any for the Corsairs to return to the win column.
From the first minute, Fullerton came out with an intensity that seemingly surprised the Corsairs, leading to an early goal by forward Josiah Palacios. Their intense, aggressive style of play caused issues for SMC coaches and players. The outrage seemed to stem from early contact against SMC captain Omar Nieto, a key contributor to their success.
Despite being met with an ultra-aggressive gameplan, the Corsairs did not allow that to stop them. They snagged a goal at the 10 minute mark with credit to freshman forward Miguel Cano, who was assisted by Gabe Mejia and Bladimir Coto to make the score (1-1). The hard-fought goal allowed the Corsairs to end the momentum and fierce defense of Fullerton’s team early on.
The game continued with hand checks, trips, and even blatant pushes until another Fullerton goal at the 25 minute mark by defender Jack Overton, assisted by Dylan Aguayo leaving the score at (1-2).
It was apparent that the Corsair's did not intend to go into halftime on uneven ground. With energy channeled from their opponent’s intenseness and a gameplan from head coach Tim Pierce, they surged. With their renewed determination, Leo Blanchet scored a clutch header seconds before half-time was called alongside fellow freshman Henry Carrera who assisted the goal.
As they entered the second half tied, the Corsairs intended to outplay their opponent before they could take the first goal. They scored a goal within the first 10 minutes of the second half off a free kick from Jefferson Parada, now leading by (3-2). At this point in the game it seemed like SMC had hit their stride, thoroughly controlling the pace and intensity after matching how Fullerton had been playing at the start.
In minute 60 lightning strikes twice, this time in the form of Miguel Cano assisting Bladimir Coto for the score(4-2).
With around 35 minutes left in the game and SMC in full control it seemed like they were poised to bring home a victory in the home opener, but while time was on their side it seemed like their emotions were on a different track. Yellow cards started to pile up on the Corsair side in a seemingly short amount of time. Two yellows for midfielder Zach Shayne followed by a yellow for head coach Tim Pierce as well. The coach was furious on the sideline due to an alleged improper throw in by a Fullerton player that the referee let play out. In minute 89, Fullerton struck a header by Josiahs Palacios off a corner kick.
The score became 4-3 before heading into a three minute period of extra time. With one minute left in extra time, Fullerton stepped up for another corner kick, and with an accurate delivery to a crowded box, Josiahs Palacios did the impossible. Another header, another goal, and Palacios managed to tie the game at 4-4. With under a minute left, SMC didn’t have enough time to take the lead back, ending the game in a 4-4 tie.
The Corsair men’s next soccer game will be at Chaffey College on Friday, Sept. 12 at 1pm.