The Long Beach City College men's soccer team extended its winning streak to seven games as the Vikings upset No. 4 nationally-ranked Mt. San Antonio College 1-0 on Friday at LBCC. With the victory, the Vikings take over sole possession of first place in the South Coast Conference with 27 points and a 9-3-0 SCC record with just two games left to play.
The first half of Friday's contest was tight with both teams exchanging runs. But Long Beach finally got on the board in the 34th minute. After a Mt. SAC foul, freshman Israel Gonzalez (Paramount HS) sent his cross pass from the left side to the front of the net. Sophomore Evair Marin (Cabrillo HS) collected the pass and nailed his shot from 15 yards out past Mt. SAC goalkeeper Andy Gutierrez for the eventual game-winning goal.
With the goal, momentum definitely shifted towards the Vikings. The Long Beach defense was solid while the Vikings outshot Mt. SAC 10-3 in the second half. LBCC had numerous shots sail just wide that could have extended its lead.
Freshman Connor Fatone made three saves in goal to help lead the Vikings to their sixth shutout of the season. The Mounties were blanked for just the fourth time this year.
Mt. SAC, who entered the game also ranked No. 2 in the state, had its seven-game unbeaten streak snapped. The Mounties (12-4-3, 7-2-3 SCC), with 24 points, trail Long Beach by three and close out the regular season with a match at home vs. LA Harbor College and an away game at El Camino College.
Long Beach, now 13-5-1 overall, wraps up the regular season with a match at Pasadena City College on Tuesday (Nov. 10) at 5 p.m. and a home contest next Friday (Nov. 13) at 3 p.m. against East Los Angeles College.
LBCC looks to wrap up its first conference championship since 2006.