Goalies keep it a draw

MEN SOCCER:
SAC vs. Fullerton.
GAME DATE:
October 30, 2012.

The Dons played to a draw at home against Fullerton College, in a game where the goalkeepers combined for seven saves.

“We knew they were a good team physically and that they were going to play us with great intensity,” Santa Ana College defender Manuel Gomez said.

The Dons had the first scoring opportunity in the eighth minute when forward Noel Arvizu dribbled the ball past Fullerton’s goalkeeper Eduardo Ramos. The shot was soft allowing the Hornets defense to block the shot and save the open net.

Fullerton responded in the 15th minute with a shot of their own. Midfielder Miguel Samayoa headed a pass to the left of Dons’ goalie Chris Martinez, who reacted in time to swat the ball away.

“Santa Ana is always a difficult team, but coming into the game we didn’t pay much attention to stats and records, because once the 22 players are on the pitch, it’s a different game,” Fullerton Head Coach Alex Perez said.

The Dons best opportunity to score came in the 72nd minute of the game. Midfielder Ricardo Gonzalez penetrated the goal box and took an open shot to Ramos’ left where he was able to stop the goal.

“We played hard and we had several chances to score, but unfortunately we weren’t able to capitalize on those opportunities,” Gomez said.

In the final five minutes of the game the Hornets missed two opportunities to win the game. Martinez made a crucial save in a one on one play against Fullerton’s Rene Sandoval, and on the next play the Hornets’ midfielder Michael Portillo clanked one off the posts.

The Dons final home game of the regular season will be next Tuesday Nov. 6, against Irvine Valley College at 3:00 p.m.