COLLEGE ROUNDUP : The Master’s Stops SCC’s Soccer Season--Again

The season’s end had a familiar look for the Southern California College men’s soccer team.

For the second consecutive season, the Vanguards were eliminated from the first round of the NAIA District 3 playoffs by their nemesis, The Master’s College.

Unlike the last three meetings between the teams, which were won by The Master’s in overtime, host SCC struggled Wednesday and lost, 3-1.

“It would have been nice not to open up with them,” SCC Coach Dave McLeish said. “They were just so aggressive. And they have a lot of speed.”

SCC (10-9-2) opened the scoring at 15 minutes of the first half on a goal from Hector Perez. The Master’s (7-11-1) tied the score 23 minutes later when Ezequiel Bongarra scored after a flurry in front of goalkeeper Miguel LaMotte.

The Master’s showed off its speed in the second half, getting two goals from Paul Smith of Kingston, Jamaica. On the last goal, which came with four minutes remaining, Smith simply outran the SCC defense.

“They are very fast and they play together,” Perez said. “I respect them all.”

The Master’s Coach Jim Rickard had equal praise for the Vanguards, especially considering the close battles between the teams.

“It’s just a matter of time before they get us,” Rickard said. “It was important to get by them.”