Orange Coast College

Men's Soccer: Season opens with 7-1 win for Pirates

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

COSTA MESA -- What a difference a year makes for the Orange Coast College men's soccer team.

While it's true the season is just one game old, the Pirates found some midseason offensive cohesiveness in Wednesday's 7-1 nonconference win over visiting El Camino.

Briant Rodelo and Brian Siemonsma each scored three goals for the Pirates, a far cry from last year when the Pirates reached the "hat trick" mark just three times ... as a team.

"We've got some guys who can finish on offense and that's great to see," OCC head trainer Glenn Strachan said. "It was a nice way to start the season. I saw a lot of positives out there and I know there's still more this team can develop as the season rolls on."

Rodelo wasted no time getting the Pirates on the scoreboard first. In the game's fourth minute, he took a touch-pass from Toshi Fujimura and ripped a shot into the upper-right corner of the goal.

El Camino tied the game in the 22nd minute, but the Pirates regained the lead for good just 12 minutes later as Rodelo fought through a cluster of Warrior defenders and slipped another shot into the goal.

Perserverance paid off for Siemonsma in the 44th minute as several kicks and headers were either stopped by the ECC goalie or by the crossbar. Finally, Siemonsma's third header in a row was put away, giving the Pirates a 3-1 halftime lead.

Pirate forward Marco Ramirez made it 4-0 at the 54th minute off a Fujimura assist and Rodelo earned his hat trick in the 61st minute off a long pass from Scotty Locken.

Siemonsma notched his second and third goals in the game's final minutes for his hat trick, with Jose Godoy and Mirai Oishi picking up assists on the plays.

OCC keepers Dane Fernandez (six saves) and Brian Rippeto (three saves) helped keep the momentum rolling in the Pirates' favor.

OCC returns to action on Tuesday at home against Palomar, beginning at 4 p.m.