PHOTO & STORY BY: CRISTIAN SANDOVAL
Cypress College come up with a huge 4-0 win against Golden West College.
The Chargers were looking to get back on track after suffering back-to-back defeats to San Bernardino Valley College (6-5-1) and Irvine Valley College (8-4-1).
“It was important for the morale of the team and just because we know we are a good team…just to get back and win 4-0 and not give up any goals… we deserved it. The boys battled hard,” said Cypress Head Coach Cristian Rus.
Cristian Rus’ team currently stands in second place of the Orange Empire Conference, just behind Irvine Valley College with a record of 5-3-3.
With five minutes into the game, the Chargers had a clear opportunity to go up in the scoreboard after freshman midfielder Andres Sandoval shot in front of the goal went high above the crossbar following a rebound that Rustler freshman goalkeeper Daniel Barragan gave inside his box.
From that point on, the game became a battle in the midfield, as both teams fought hard to gain control of the game and possession of the ball.
“I told the guys, hey let’s slow down. Let’s combine a little bit. We are still getting behind them,” said Rus
In the 30th minute of the game, sophomore striker Diego Useda came close to putting Rustlers up in the game, after a free-kick from approximately the 15-yard line in where Useda was able to locate his shot in the top corner but it was sophomore goalkeeper Alex Felixs’ fantastic one handed save that kept the game all even at zero.
Before the half ended, freshman defender Jordy Galan had a big opportunity for the Chargers after a perfect corner kick to inside of the box by sophomore midfielder Paul Gonzales in which Galan was able to make contact with his left foot by the penalty area but Barragan stepped up to deny the Chargers defender.
In what was a very difficult first half, both teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
The Chargers got things rolling in the 50th minute of the game after a free-kick from the right side that caused a series of rebounds inside the box and it was sophomore forward Raymond Ramirez that finally was able to get a clear shot that surpassed Barragan to put Cypress ahead in the game 1-0.
Three minutes later, the Chargers were able to add to their lead after Barragan gave a critical rebound inside his box and once again it was Ramirez that was there to put the ball behind the net, netting his second of the day and his second of the season, giving Cypress a 2-0 lead.
In the 65th minute of the game, the Cypress were awarded a penalty kick, after the match official called for a hand ball inside the Rustlers box and it was the Chargers captain sophomore defender Braulio Morales that stepped up to the challenge and easily located the ball beyond Barragans’ reach, for the Chargers third goal of the game.
Sophomore midfielder Julio Perez had a big chance to add his name to the scoresheet in the 80th minute of the game after an inside the box header that barely went past the post following a cross from the right side from freshman defender Abraham Gallo.
Perez was able to redeem himself in the 84th minute of the game, after being left one-on-one in front of the goal versus Barragan, and the Chargers midfielder was able to dribble his way past the Rustlers goalkeeper, for his fourth goal of the season.
The Chargers secured a big win and were able to keep a clean sheet against the Rustlers.
“Anytime you don’t give up a goal we have a chance to win games… I thought we were organized. We were good in the air. We won the first ball, we won the second ball. It’s intensity and effort,” said Rus. “React after you lose the ball, and I thought we did those little things, and if you do those little things right, most of the time you have a chance to not give up goals,” said Rus.
