Corsair Men Efficient In Victory Over Oxnard Condors

Chris Negrete (9) of the Santa Monica College jumps up to perform the ball. The Santa Monica College Corsairs won the game 2-0 against the Oxnard College. The match was held at the Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on October 17, 2017. (Photo: Elena Rybina)

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Chris Negrete (9) of the Santa Monica College protects the ball from Francisco Arroyo (2) of Oxnard College. On October 17, 2017 the Santa Monica College Corsairs won the game 2-0 against the Oxnard College. The match was held at the Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif (Photo: Elena Rybina)

Andy Naidu (8) of the Santa Monica College protects the ball from Francisco Arroyo (2) of Oxnard College. On October 17, 2017 the Santa Monica College Corsairs won the game 2-0 against the Oxnard College. The match was held at the Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo: Elena Rybina)

Divine Sumbu (23) of the Santa Monica College knocks out the ball from Luis Rivera (10) of Oxnard College. On October 17, 2017 the Santa Monica College Corsairs won the game 2-0 against the Oxnard College. The match was held at the Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo: Elena Rybina)

Cyrille Njomo (17) of the Santa Monica College tries to withdraw the ball from Benjamin Garcia (4) of Oxnard College. The Santa Monica College Corsairs won the game 2-0 against the Oxnard College. The match was held at the Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on October 17, 2017. (Photo: Elena Rybina)

After another bout of starting time confusion delayed by the first whistle in Tuesday’s Men’s soccer game at Corsair Stadium, Santa Monica College men’s soccer team took to the field. SMC played what was perhaps their most efficient match of the year, against the Condors of Oxnard Community College (8-5).

Using constant pressure in keeping the opposition from gaining any offensive momentum, and crisp passing to keep the Condors on their heels defensively, the match remained at a scoreless stalemate. Until in the 22nd minute, Andy Naidu got free for a breakaway run up the left hash, pushing the ball past Condor goalie Matthew Escareno, who came out to challenge, for the first SMC goal of the match.

The Condor offense produced only a single shot on goal, albeit from point-blank distance, that SMC goalie, Jesus Alcazar, batted away to keep Santa Monica up by a lone score. The men’s soccer team would score again in the 35th minute, as Cesar Oliva used his head to find the back of the net off of a SMC corner kick. This put the Corsairs up 2-0 which is how the game ended.

Santa Monica improves its record to 11-1-2, but still finds itself in second-place in their division with .018 percentage points behind the Vaqueros of Santa Barbara, who they welcome on Tuesday, October 24, 2017.

Up next, the men’s soccer team travels to LA Mission Friday, October 20, 2017, for a match against the 4-7-3 Eagles.