OEC TITLE UP FOR GRABS IN 2023

With six of the eight teams entering Orange Empire Conference play with two-or-fewer losses, it looks like it's going to be another down-to-the-wire finishes for one of the top men's soccer conferences in all of California Community College athletics.

In alphabetical order, here is a team-by-team breakdown of the 2023 Orange Empire Conference men's soccer teams as they kick off conference play this week.

CYPRESS (2-4-1) – It was a rough start to the Chargers' 2023 campaign with a draw and four consecutive losses to kick things off before a pair of shutout wins over East Los Angeles (2-0) and Moorpark (1-0) helped get Cypress going in the right direction as OEC play looms.

Freshman David Rezko has had a strong beginning to his Cypress College career with three goals and four assists (10 points) with Angel Cristobal contributing a pair of goals as well.

In goal, freshman Juvencio Rodriguez as carried the majority of the load, allowing 12 goals with 11 saves and a 2.38 goals-against-average in six matches.

FULLERTON (7-1) – The Hornets had a nearly-perfect start to the season with seven wins and just one loss, with that lone setback coming against the Dallas-based Richland College Thunderducks at the Mt. San Antonio College Showcase. Otherwise, Fullerton has been rolling, outscoring the opposition 17-6 in its seven wins this year.

Sophomore forward and last year's OEC MVP Misael Gonzalez has been lights out for the Hornets in 2023, scoring a conference-best seven goals to go along with three assists (17 points). He's already well on his way of topping his 12-goal, five-assist, MVP freshman campaign. Hayden Kenny (three goals, one assist) and Evan Courtney (two goals, two assists) give Fullerton some depth up front, while in goal, the trio of Mario Floriano, Ryan Moreno-Rojas and Jonathan Ortiz have combined for a 1.25 GAA and 48 saves over eight matches.

GOLDEN WEST (1-2-4) – After a 2-1 win over L.A. City College in the season opener, the GWC Rustlers have been fit to be tied this year, earning four stalemates over their next six contests (0-2-4). Golden West wrapped up the nonconference portion of its schedule with a pair of 2-2 draws to Santa Monica and L.A. Mission last week.

The Rustlers have been sparked by corner midfielder Francisco Vieira, who leads the way with five goals and 10 points through six matches played. In goal, sophomore Daniel Barragan has carried the load for the Rustlers with 47 saves and a 1.67 GAA in 2023.

IRVINE VALLEY (5-2) – The Lasers are coming into OEC red hot, thanks to a four-match win streak, with victories over Southwestern (3-1), Rio Hondo (2-1), San Diego Mesa (3-1) and Cuyamaca (2-1), making the early 1-2 start a distant memory.

The sophomore trio of Ivan Lopez (four goals, five assists, 13 points), Grant Miller (four goals, one assist, nine points) and Lennart Granzow (three goals, six points) have given IVC three legit scoring threats, which will thin out any team's defensive unit.

Freshman goalkeeper Josh Simonton has been strong with 23 saves and a 1.45 GAA in seven matches played.

ORANGE COAST (0-6-2) – It's been a rough and frustrating start to 2023 for a Pirate squad that has shown moments of brilliant soccer at times this year. With the addition of several late newcomers, it's taken extra time for Coast to come together as a unit and a strong OEC stretch will make the early struggles a forgotten memory.

Sophomore Grayson Marquez (three goals, one assist, seven points) and freshman Devin La Clair (three goals, six points) have provided the majority of the offense for OCC, while in goal, freshman Adam Guillen has racked up 36 saves and a 3.23 GAA in seven matches for the Pirates.

SADDLEBACK (3-1-1) – No matter what happens with the Bobcats, the 2023 season will forever be remembered as the team's first year of existence and so far, the new kids on the block have done well, earning wins in three of their first five matches. Win No. 1 in program history came on Sept. 5 against Pasadena City as the Bobcats topped the Lancers, 2-1.

Freshman Joel Smith has given the Bobcats a steady weapon with five goals and an assist (11 points) in just five matches, while Sepand Soutehkashan (three goals, six points) and Andrew Jun (two goals, four points) each have had multiple goals for Saddleback.

It's been a goalkeeper committee for the Bobcats with the trio of Dominic DiFrenna, Nicolas Harrison and Ivan Hernandez combining for a 1.20 GAA and 23 saves.

SANTA ANA (4-2-1) – A 1-2-1 start to the campaign has been followed up with wins over Long Beach City (2-0), San Bernardino Valley (4-3) and College of the Desert (2-0), giving the Dons some extra pep in their step heading into OEC play.

The SAC offense has been carried by sophomore Marck Rayo, who has six goals and three assists (15 points), with the foursome of Diego Corona, Paul Carrillo, Esteban Palacios and Isaac Pineda notching two goals each.

Sophomore goalkeeper Pablo Rea has been steady and strong for the Dons with 26 saves and a 2.20 GAA in six matches.

SANTIAGO CANYON (3-2-1) – After a season-opening setback to East L.A., the Hawks have been a formidable opponent, going 3-1-1 over their next five contests.

SCC's three-headed monster of Nick Asam (six goals, one assist, 13 points), Jorge Garcia Cruz (three goals, three assists, nine points) and Andrew Marentes (four goals, one assist, nine points) have been strong to start 2023 for the Hawks.

In goal, freshman Juan Pablo Alvarez and racked up 35 saves and a 2.91 GAA for the Hawks through the first six contests.

Release by Tony Altobelli, Orange Coast SID