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Men’s Soccer: Vikings rally for 5-3 opening-day win at San Diego City

San Diego City College defenders block LBCC forward Mario Ballesteros (13) from advancing up field in the Vikings' win. (Photo by Celia Jimenez/SDCC City Times)
San Diego City College defenders block LBCC forward Mario Ballesteros (13) from advancing up field in the Vikings' win. (Photo by Celia Jimenez/SDCC City Times)

Long Beach City College sophomores Joel Atilano (Artesia HS) and Evair Marin (Cabrillo HS) both had a goal and an assist to help lead the Vikings to a 5-3 come-from-behind win at San Diego City College in their season opener on Friday.

The Vikings got 2015 off to a shaky start as they trailed 2-0 at halftime. Atilano finally got LBCC on the scoreboard with his goal in the 56th minute off the assist from Marin. SDCC (0-1) added to its lead with a goal in the 65th minute before Long Beach took over.

LBCC exploded with four unanswered goals to close out the contest. The Vikings got scores from freshmen Andrew Hernandez (Paramount HS) and Hector Rojo (Paramount HS) to tie up the game before Marin's penalty-kick goal in the 86th minute proved to be the game-winner. Freshman Bryan Majano (Downey HS) added an insurance goal in the 89th just moments before the final whistle.

Long Beach outshot San Diego City by a 24-11 margin, including 13-4 in the offensive second half. Freshman Connor Fatone (Los Alamitos HS) posted four saves in goal in his LBCC debut.

The Vikings return to action on Friday (Sept. 4) at 5 p.m. when they travel south to play Golden West College in a non-conference game.