The Long Beach City College men's soccer team hit the road on Tuesday afternoon to face off against El Camino in South Coast Conference action in hopes to improve their playoff chances. With the game gridlocked at two apiece late in the contest, the Vikings capitalized on a corner kick in the 84th minute to send home the game-winner and reel in a 3-2 win.
The Vikings got off to a strong start by immediately putting pressure on the El Camino defense. Edgar Gonzalez and Nicholas Vazquez got the ball rolling with two blasts, but no dice.
However, it was not long after until LBCC sent home the first score of the game, compliments of a converted penalty kick in the 12th minute from Israel Gonzalez to hand the Vikings an early 1-0 advantage.
Despite El Camino working to tie the contest in the 39th minute, Long Beach continued to attack with a purpose leading into the second half.
Long Beach took control of the second half just 30 seconds in with Vazquez sending home a netter in the 46th minute to grab the lead once again at 2-1.
Nevertheless, El Camino battled back to knot the game up once again in the 73rd minute to put pressure on both teams to haul in a win.
LBCC continued to fire at will following the El Camino score with Maldonado and Christopher Ribet ripping off shots back-to-back, respectfully.
After a relentless attack, I. Gonzalez worked to earn a corner kick in the 84th minute and made the best of it by locating Vasquez who worked the ball to Ribet with space. Ribet promptly sent home the score en route to a 3-2 victory.
Long Beach outshot El Camino by a margin of 16-12. Vazquez was the most efficient weapon on the pitch by recording a goal and an assist for three points. Ribet earn his sixth goal of the season which acted as the game winner. I. Gonzalez recorded his first score of the season as well.
Saul Ocampo earned the victory, the team and his first victory since October 13, after playing 90 minutes and earning five saves.
The Vikings (4-8-6, 3-2-1 SCC) currently sit in third place in the South Coast Conference. They will take on first-place Cerritos (7-6-5, 3-0-2 SCC) on Friday, November 4 at home at 4 p.m.