NEW CHAPTER BEGINS AS OEC MEN’S SOCCER KICKS OFF

It has been a bit of a head-scratching start to the 2025 season for the majority of the men's soccer programs across the Orange Empire Conference, but with the start of OEC play, it's an entirely new season for everyone.

It's always a dogfight for the conference crown and with every team still looking to find their "A" game, there's no better time to do so then this week as conference play gets underway.

In alphabetical order, here is a team-by-team breakdown of each OEC club …

CYPRESS (4-1-2) – The lone team above .500 heading into the OEC portion of the schedule, the Cypress College Chargers have been in a steady groove since the season opener.

With 20 goals through their first seven matches, the Chargers enter OEC play unbeaten over their last four contests (2-0-2), including a pair of hard-fought 3-2 wins over East L.A.  on Sept. 12 and Moorpark on Sept. 19.

The Cypress offense has been spread out this year, with sophomore Isaac Morales and Erik Hernandez leading the way with three goals each, followed by Brandon Procopio, Jesse Gonzalez and Diego Alcaraz with two goals apiece. In addition to those five players, SEVEN other Charger players have found the back of the net once.

The depth for the Chargers also is in goal, with three goalkeepers sharing the majority of the minutes, including Victor Enciso, Demian Baldovinos and Yandel Saucedo, who have a combined 21 saves and a 1.71 goals against average.

FULLERTON (1-4-2) – After an early-season 3-2 win over Lake Tahoe College at the Mt. SAC Tournament, the defending OEC champion Hornets have gone 0-3-1, with the stalemate coming against Santa Monica (4-4) on Sept. 9.

Opponents of the Hornets will look to zero in on sophomore forward, Josiahs Palacios, who leads Fullerton with five goals through the first seven matches. Kevin Castro, Evan Courtney, Jacob Leggette and Jack Overton each have a goal scored for the Hornets as well.

In goal, sophomore Steven Martinez has done most of the heavy lifting, allowing seven goals with 19 saves over 329 minutes of play, while Alexis Villanueva has allowed six goals through his two matches played.

GOLDEN WEST (0-3-2) – After a pair of 2-2 ties to kick off the season against Cuyamaca (8/26) and MiraCosta (8/29), the always-tough Rustlers have dropped three straight to above-.500 teams, Cerritos (6-1), Santa Monica (4-1) and L.A. Mission (6-1).

Freshman Luis Cano has been a nice addition to the Rustler lineup in 2026. The freshman forward leads the GWC offense with four goals, while sophomore Jorge Orozco and freshman Rodrigo Estrada each have one goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Trevor Jones has been called upon for the majority of the work and has notched 11 saves in 270 minutes of action.

IRVINE VALLEY (3-4) – It's been an up-and-down start to the 2025 season for the IVC Lasers … or, more accurately, a down-and-up start to the 2025 season. After opening with three straight losses, the Lasers have bounced back with wins in three of the previous four matches, including victories over Southwestern (2-1), San Diego Mesa (6-0) and Rio Hondo (3-1).

Irvine Valley has depth up front with four multi-goal goal-scorers, including Isaac Nixon (four), Andrew Roldan (four), Armin Tehrani (three goals, four assists) and Finn Monk (two).

IVC goalkeeping is anchored by freshman Sansiro Murata, who has played in all seven matches (five starts) and has a 1.88 goals against average with 22 saves and only 10 goals allowed. Keven Rafael has been a steady No. 2 keeper, allowing just one goal over 120 minutes of play with four saves.

ORANGE COAST (1-3-2) – The Pirates came out of the gate strong, with a convincing 4-0 win over L.A. Harbor, but from there, Coast has only found a pair of ties against East L.A. and MiraCosta since then.

While goals have been a bit of a struggle to find, sophomore midfielder Zenden Berbari is doing his job with a team-best three goals. Six other Pirates, including Lucas Fiche, Bram Fraser, Collin Lacher, Eric Martinez, Anthony O'Neill and Ossy Portillo have found the back of the net once.

The goalkeeping duties for the Pirates fall directly on the shoulders of sophomore Kotaro Kobayashi, who has a 1.45 GAA and 27 saves over 495 minutes of action.

SADDLEBACK (1-4-1) – Much like the Pirates, the Saddleback College Bobcats came out with an impressive 3-1 win over MiraCosta but has since gone 0-4-1 against some high-ranked programs, with the lone stalemate coming against Pasadena City College.

Bobcat goals have come from seven different players, with freshman Braeden Collins and Jefreyn Contreras leading the way with two goals apiece.

The freshmen goalkeeping duo of Andria Fanos and Cam Caveney have combined for 37 saves and a 2.65 GAA.

SANTA ANA (1-4-2) – Much like the Bobcats, the Dons have used the nonconference portion of the season to take on some of the top programs in Southern California. After an 0-4 start, SAC has bounced back with a 5-1 win over San Diego Mesa and a hard-fought 2-2 draw with L.A. City.

Damian Banuelos has been the goal-leader for the Dons this year with three goals, while teammates Kevin Munoz, Edwin Tirador and Orlando Virgen each have scored twice.

In goal, the tandem of Carlos Valentin and Enrique Ugalde have shared the work for the Dons and the duo have a combined goals against average of 2.71 with 31 saves over seven contests.

SANTIAGO CANYON (1-3-3) – The Hawks have been looking for goals to start the season, but the SCC defense has done a solid job, allowing just 11 goals over seven matches played this year.

Jacob Vega, Sam Everakes and Braydon Cerminelli have each scored twice to lead the SCC offense, while solo tallies have been turned in by Abraham Garcia, Miguel Carrillo, Triston Radant and Manuel Cervantes.

Sophomore goalkeeper Diego Saldivar has seen the majority of the work for the Hawks, earning 27 saves and a .794 save percentage over 477 minutes of action.

Story by Tony Altobelli, Orange Coast College