Chargers Tie Orange Coast in OEC Opener, 1-1

CYPRESS, CA – The No. 8 Cypress College's men's soccer team (7-0-2, 0-0-1 OEC) opened Orange Empire Conference play at home Friday afternoon against the Orange Coast Pirates (7-1-2, 1-0-1 OEC) ending in a draw, 1-1.

The first half of play was very competitive between the two teams. Each team had very close looks early on to set the intensity for the match. In the 5^th minute, Pirates' freshman forward, John Cisneros, missed his shot by inches with a deflection off the goal post. 

The Chargers answered back with a few close shots that were saved by Orange Coast goalkeeper, Pablo Ramirez, including a shot by Lorenzo La Violette missing just wide of the post. After both teams contested each other several times with close plays within the box and a combine 11 saves neither side could find the back of the net before the half ended.  

The second half of play began quickly with a Charger goal by Jake You assisted by La Violette (46:00) to give Cypress the go-ahead, 1-0. The Pirates quickly responded about two minutes later, when one of the Charger defenders was called for a hand ball in the box and rewarded Orange Coast with a penalty kick. Cisneros got his revenge and found  the back of the net to tie the match, 1-1. 

Both teams continued to fight for the win with great defensive tactics, especially Chargers' defender, Connor Fitzgerald, who had several key plays in the afternoon. After a long, hard fought battle between the two teams the Orange Empire contest ended in a tie, 1-1.

The Cypress men's soccer team will continue conference play next Tuesday, October 8^th at Santiago Canyon starting play at 3:00 pm.

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