OCC men open with 2-0 loss

WHITTIER -- The Orange Coast College men’s soccer team started its

season with a 2-0 loss to nonconference host Rio Hondo Thursday.

The Pirates played strong defensively, OCC Coach Laird Hayes said,

as Rio Hondo fired off only six shots. However, the Pirates had just

four shots on goal.

OCC freshman goalkeeper Josh Cotsenmoyer recorded five saves,

including a stop on a penalty kick in the second half.

Rio Hondo (1-1) scored with 30 seconds remaining in the first

half, and, “took the wind out of our sails,” Hayes said. Rio Hondo

scored again in the 66th minute to secure the win.

Sophomore Dante Zena nearly scored on a point blank shot, but Rio

Hondo’s goalie stuffed it.

“We’ll be fine,” Hayes said. “They had a game under their belt and

we didn’t. We’re going to be OK.”