Cats end slump against OCC

The Saddleback men's soccer team picked up a win with a 3-0 victory over Orange Coast College on Friday night inside the stadium.  The Bobcats snapped a winless streak with a big second half.

Saddleback had suffered a number of frustrating setbacks coming into the game and was in the midst of a seven-game winless streak heading into the matchup with OCC on Friday.  The Bobcats rallied the troops and dominated the second half, putting together one of the best 25 minute stretches of soccer this season.

Saddleback and Orange Coast went to halftime scoreless in what could be considered a lifeless first half.  OCC had a 2-1 advantage in total shots as most of the play took place in the middle of the field, with neither squad able to generate a lot of offense.

Saddleback came out with new energy in the second half, taking the play to the Pirates.  The Bobcats struck for a goal in the 66^th minute when they received a free kick in the center of the field from 10 yards outside the box.  Saddleback elected to have Braeden Collins take the shot, who blasted a ball off the right post and the ricochet bounced right onto the foot of a rushing Noah Eason who tapped it into the net.  It gave Saddleback a 1-0 lead and seemed to spark an offensive surge for a team desperate for a win.

Saddleback struck again 11 minutes later, and again it was Eason capitalizing with his second goal of the game when Jefreyn Contreras tapped a ball onto his foot and he outraced two defenders and beat the goalkeeper to the right side of the net in the 77^th minute.

Saddleback had the game well in control over the final 13 minutes but added an insurance goal during injury time when Jason Starks took a pass from Kevin Castaneda and raced past a Pirate defender to beat the keeper to the left side of the net. 

Saddleback outshot Orange Coast 9-7 for the game and 8-5 in the second half, finishing with a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. 

Saddleback's win was the first since beating MiraCosta College on opening day.  It put the Bobcats at 2-7-1 overall and 1-3 in Orange Empire Conference play.

Saddleback will look for a second straight win on Tuesday when it hosts Fullerton College.  The Bobcats and Hornets are scheduled to start at 3:00 PM inside the stadium.