Dons coach Colin Lindores’ plan to solidify the front lineshowed the fruits of his labor Tuesday when the mens soccer teamfaced the visiting Mission College Saints.
The Dons’ well-placed offensive efforts made all the difference inthe 4-1 win.
The Dons’ normal sluggish disposition continued in the start of thegame, with few scoring opportunities until halfway into the firsthalf.
The Dons’ ramped up and scored first with an awkward rebound.
Forward German Torres fired a high shot that bounced off the toppost and back out to the center of the goalie box.
Seizing the opportunity, Miguel Villa headed the ball, resultingrebound into the net at 26:10 left of the first.
The Dons’ domination lasted throughout the first half. Theircontrol offered numerous scoring opportunities at the Saints’ backline.
“We were looking for that quality penetration and we accomplishedthat,” said assistant coach Jeff Panos.
| “We werelooking for that quality penetration and we accomplishedthat,”
– JeffPanos
Assistant Coach |
S trong efforts by Angel Vidrio and Cesar Serrano were turnedaside by the Saints goaltender.
The Saints were plagued by offensive zone turnovers which allowedthe Dons to establish a solid offensive line.
Another weird bounce would land in favor of the Dons.
With 18:05 left in the first, Villa ended up alone in the zone andfired a rocket at the net.
Villa’s shot stunned the goalie in the chest resulting in anoffensive rebound by Scott Mayeda.
Mayeda went by a Saints defender and scrambled for a shot that beatthe stunned goalie to give the Dons a two-goal lead.
The Saints’ defense settled down and repelled numerous chances tomake the game close.
With 8:11 left in the first, the Dons’ back line would recover aSaints turnover.
The ball was quickly passed to David Tanton who carried the ballpast midfield and managed to find the back of the net with along-range shot through the Saints line of defense.
The Saints managed to seize the opportunity in the last minute ofthe first when a redirected ball found the Dons goalie out ofplace. This allowed Saints Justin Garman to slide the ball into anempty net.
The Saints attempted to capitalize on the momentum in the first,but solid defense and strong work by the Dons kept the Saints withonly one goal.
The Dons’ Christian Vivanco converted on a quick turnover andrushed through the surprised Saints back line to face thegoaltender on a breakaway.
Vivanco’s shot would get by and into the net at 28:10 to finish thescoring contest.
With this win and Oct. 10’s 5-2 win against Chabot College, theDons move to 2-0-0 in the conference and 7-3-3 overall.
