Orange Coast College

Men's Soccer: Pirates bounce back with 2-1 win over San Diego Mesa

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

COSTA MESA -- After a disappointing loss to start the season, the Orange Coast College men's soccer team responeded well with a 2-1 win over San Diego Mesa on Tuesday at the OCC Soccer Complex.

"It was a good win, I liked our effort much more today than in our opener," OCC assistant coach Glenn Strachan said. "Still a long way for us to get better, but it was a better performance today."

OCC (1-1) took the lead for good when Jordan Gorman stormed down the right side and ripped a shot that was saved by Mesa goalkeeper Grant Essig. However, the shot deflected to the front of the net, where OCC forward Dean Regis controlled it and buried a shot into the back of the net in the game's 22nd minute to make it 1-0.

Just eight minutes later, Gorman was at it again and another shot from the freshman forward's foot was stopped but William Munoz picked up the loose ball and scored to make it 2-0.

Despite being outplayed throughout the contest, San Diego Mesa (1-1) stayed close and made things interesting in the 80th minute when Anthony Rodriguez scored to make it 2-1.

But that's all the Olympians would get as Brian Rippeto notched four saves to pick up the win.

Essig, who made several point-blank stops, had eight saves.

OCC returns to action on Friday at Palomar, beginning at 4 p.m. The Pirates return home on Tuesday against Glendale, also at 4.