The Long Beach City College men's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season, a 2-1 defeat to visiting Taft College in the Vikings' home opener on Tuesday. The loss dropped LBCC to 1-1-1 overall early in the season.
The Vikings held their own against a Taft squad that captured a Central Valley Conference title last season and advanced the to CCCAA State Championship semifinals.
The Cougars scored early to put the pressure on the Vikings. Bryan Henriquez scored in the sixth minute of the assist from Aldahir Perez to give Taft an early 1-0 lead.
But the Vikings came right back to tie it up in the 18th minute. Sophomore Joel Atilano (Artesia HS) found freshman Bryan Majano (Downey HS) with a sweeping free kick from the left side. Majano headed the ball off the left post and just into the goal for the equalizer.
The teams battled for possession throughout the second half and the contest appeared to be headed to a draw. But Danny Ortiz broke free for the eventual game-winning goal in the 85th minute to dash the hopes of a Long Beach upset.
Freshman Connor Fatone (Los Alamitos HS) posted three saves in goal for the Vikings.
Long Beach returns to action on Friday (Sept. 11) when it hosts Cuyamaca College in a 4 p.m. non-conference game.