The Student Voice Of Contra Costa College, San Pablo, Calif.

The Advocate
The Student Voice Of Contra Costa College, San Pablo, Calif.

The Advocate
The Student Voice Of Contra Costa College, San Pablo, Calif.

The Advocate

Offense flounders as Butte triumphs

By Joel Umanzor, Staff Writer
September 25, 2018
The men’s soccer team’s rallied to defeat Butte College in a 5-0 shutout on Friday at the Soccer Field. Contra Costa College (2-1-1 overall) managed to overcome its demoralizing 6-1 away loss against Modesto City College on Sept. 4 and gut the Roadrunners defense. Butte College’s (3-3 overall) defensive shape was unable close down enough space to contain the Comet proficient passing play in transition and during critical scoring opportunities. The men’s team is scheduled to play its next non-conference game at Chabot College (2-2) at 4 p.m. on Thursday. “This is (the Butte game) the first time during my two seasons coaching the team that the players were clicking on all cylinders,” Comet coach Nikki Ferguson said. “We struggled in the game against (Modesto Junior College) in terms of staying compact defensively, but corrected these problems against Butte.” Comet striker Bryan Vega said the key to recuperating from a 6-1 loss to route Butte 5-0 was taking control of the scoring chances and being clinical in front of goal. “We played well throughout the whole game against Butte,” Vega said. “But being able to capitalize offensively during the first fifteen minutes is what led us to win.” The Comets scored three goals of their five goals against a discombobulated BC defensive back line in the first 21 minutes of play. Vega provided a brace for the team by scoring the first two goals, while right attacking winger Missel Hernandez led the team in assists with two by the final whistle. Subsequent goals by Jesus Villagrana, at 21 minutes, Rodriguez at 50 minutes and team captain Alejandro Gonzalez at 60 minutes sealed the Comet’s home route against the Roadrunners. His first goal, however, began off a free kick just outside the penalty box only a minute into the game. The initial kick was deflected off the BC wall to Vega, positioned along the right wing, who then delivered the ball across the face of the goal to find Pedro Rodriguez, but deflected of a Roadrunner center back and into goal. His second came during a counter along the right side of the field. Vega said he cut into the center of the penalty box to rifle a low through ball to the far post, and past BC goalkeeper Juan Venagas. CCC’s passing prowess in the midfield moved the ball into the Roadrunner defensive third to provide its attacking players with 11 shots on goal by the end of the game. BC’s, however, offensive drives struggled to effectively transition the ball up the field and resulted in only having four shots on goal throughout the game. Sophomore Comet center back Christian Garibay said BC only had a few chances to score because the backline was able to hold a “solid” defensive shape through effective communication. “(Against Butte) coach said we did everything we could do right,” Garibay said. “It was one of the best games we have played during my time on the team because we had very little errors, if at all.” He added that if CCC would have been as clinical in front of goal during the game against Modesto as it was against Butte, the team would have an undefeated record. “That day (against Modesto) we were not playing like we wanted the game,” he said. “But playing at home against Butte was a lot easier because we came into the game much more relaxed. “But we don’t like to make excuses for ourselves. (Modesto) was the better team.”

Comets outclass Butte in shutout

By Lorenzo Morotti, Associate Editor
September 18, 2015
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