Laviolette Hat Trick Powers Chargers Past Vaqueros, 6-3

CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College men's soccer team picked up their first win of the season in Friday's home opener against Glendale College, 6-3.

Cypress started strong right out the gate flying around the field. The Chargers got on the board first with a penalty shot in the 11^th minute. Lorenzo Laviolette, captain for the Chargers, netted the PK giving the Chargers the lead. It did not take long for the Vaqueros to come back and tie the game. A goal came just a minute later from Glendale's Keven Pinedo, tying the game at 1-1.

The score was even until the 30^th minute, when Fransisco Santana-Pelayo made a run beating the Vaquero defenders and finishing with an unbelievable shot outside the 18-yard box to give the Chargers a 2-1 lead going into the break.

The second half started with bang, as Laviolette found the back of the net for a second time in the 47th minute. Laviolette's goal came on a beautiful pass from Zarek Vargas. In the 57^th minute, Cypress earned themselves a free kick outside the 18-yard box. Stepping up to take the free kick was sophomore Dylan Martin. Martin, with ease, lifted the free kick over the outstretched hands of the keeper, giving the Chargers a 4-1 lead. The Chargers earned another point on the score sheet in the 67^th minute, on a second penalty shot awarded to Laviolette, who converted for the hat trick.

Pinedo, who earned his second goal of the game in the 80^th minute, gave the Vaqueros hope down the stretch. Four minutes later the Chargers shut the door on Glendale as Santana-Peloya gave the Chargers a 6-2 lead with just 6 minutes remaining. The Vaqueros added a late goal, but it was not enough as the Chargers earned their first win of the young season.

The Chargers advanced to 1-1-0 on the season and will resume non-conference play on the road Tuesday, September 4 against Palomar College.

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