Coast falls to Santa Ana, 1-0

Gerardo Rangel’s goal on a second-half penalty kick proved to be

the lone score of the game Tuesday as Santa Ana captured a 1-0 victory at

Orange Coast in a rematch of last year’s state championship final.

“Anybody who watched this game saw two teams play an even game. Be

both played well, but they beat us on a penalty kick,” said OCC assistant

coach Kevin Smith. “But this isn’t something for us to hang our heads

over. They’re the No. 1 team in the state and we could have beaten them.”

Rangel’s goal came in the 65th minute. His shot to the lower-right

corner of the net was enough to allow thke Dons to pick up the win and

improve to 12-0-1, 5-0-1 in the Orange Empire Conference.

The Pirates, now 6-6-2, 3-2-1, played as well as they have in any game

this year, matching Santa Ana’s speed and energy step-for-step.

After a defensive first half, the second half was filled with scoring

opportunities. The Pirates took just five shots in the first half, but

had 13 shots on goal in the second half. The Dons had eight attempts in

each half.

Coast had several scoring opportunities after Rangel’s goal, but

couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. Luis Inga, normally a

midfielder, played in the goal for the Dons, recording seven saves.

Pirate keeper Joey Balbas also had seven saves.

The Pirates return to OEC action Friday when they travel to Fullerton.