Dons Open Conference Play with Shutout

Dons midfielder Jonathan Roman celebrates the first goal of the game set up by forward Luis Venegas. / C. Harold Pierce / el Don

By: C. Harold Pierce

It took Santa Ana College all of seven minutes to win a game.

The Dons scored four goals during the first half Tuesday in a 6-0 blowout victory against the visiting Cypress College Chargers.

During the blitz, forward Luis Venegas scored one goal and assisted on another. He led the team with two goals.

“We talked about coming out strong and fast with pressure. In the first 15 minutes, we talked about going right after them,” SAC Head Coach Jose Vasquez said.

Venegas began the onslaught when he assisted on midfielder Jonathan Roman’s goal in the 34th minute. Charger goalie Scott Dutton thought he made the save before he let it slip through his hands when Roman swept it in.

Three goals later, the game was essentially over.

“We couldn’t defend, we couldn’t finish,” said a visibly frustrated Chargers Head Coach Ed Kephart.

Three minutes after the assist, Venegas netted his first goal when forward Leonardo Contreras set him up for a score. Two minutes later, Contreras sailed one past the goalie. Midfielder Uriel Rebollar finished out the first half with another goal, giving the Dons a 4-0 lead.

But the Dons never let up.

Defender Edwin Navarrete’s overhead kick in the 67th minute and Venegas’ five minutes later gave Santa Ana a commanding 6-0 lead.

The game marks the team’s third consecutive win, as well as its second shutout.

The Dons face Norco College for its second conference game at 3 p.m. Friday at home.