Men's soccer

The sun is shining on the SMC men’s soccer team once again.The Corsairs got back in the winning column yesterday, coming out on top over the College of the Canyons Cougars 2-0. In the first 45 minutes, the Cougars were not able to score on the Corsairs, setting the tone for SMC’s defense.  Coach Tim Pierce made that an emphasis going into Tuesday’s game. “We put five defenders in the game, and attacked with our other five.  Our five [defenders] sat home and did a job and concentrated on executing that game plan,” Coach Pierce said. Late in the second half, the Corsairs got to work offensively.  Just under the 18-minute mark, forward Alessandro Canale scored the first goal of the night with a header during a free kick. Not long after, forward Rafael Silva was able to score off an assist from Canale, essentially ending the game. SMC allowed a whopping five goals during their last game against Citrus College.  This game, they didn’t’ allow any. “The defense had an outstanding game today,” Canale said. Last night’s win puts the Corsairs at fourth in the Western State conference.  Their next game is Friday, October 12 against Oxnard College.  Oxnard is currently undefeated in conference play, putting them at first, but SMC is confident they will come out with a victory. “I think if we come out with a similar strategy [as Tuesday’s game], we can come out with a win,” Canale said. Coach Pierce feels his team can match up well, stating that SMC is the only team that has been able to play Oxnard to a draw.  “We’re going to give them hell.”