Community college men’s soccer: Pirates break through for win

FULLERTON - After playing to a scoreless tie through 77 minutes,

the Orange Coast College men’s soccer team scored two goals in the final

13 minutes to earn a 2-0 Orange Empire Conference win at Fullerton

Friday.

The Pirates, who have played well defensively but struggled to score

all season, were on the verge of being shut out for the third time in

four games. However, Dante Zena scored his team-high seventh goal of the

season in the 78th minute to get OCC (7-6-2, 4-2-1 in the OEC) on the

board. Ian Buchanan was credited with the assist.

Nine minutes later, Ryan Holt scored off a low throw-in from Ryan

Lancaster.

“Just like in Tuesday’s game against Santa Ana, we played a great game

defensively,” Coast assistant coach Jason Smith said. “Offensively, we

really picked things up today. We deserved two goals and we got them.”

OCC goalie Joey Balbas stopped five shots.

The Pirates return to action Tuesday at 3 p.m., when they host

Riverside.