The Long Beach City College men's soccer team kicked off the 2011 season with a 4-0 non-conference win at Palomar College on Tuesday.
After a scoreless opening 30 minutes of the contest, the Vikings finally got on the scoreboard thanks to a free kick goal by freshman Geo Cazal from nearly 70 yards away in the 31st minute.
Co-head coach Pat Noyes said it was the longest free kick goal that he had ever seen.
Leading 1-0 at halftime, Long Beach poured it on with three goals in the second half. Moments after the second-half whistle, freshman Luis Reynoso scored on a volley off a cross pass from freshman Andres Montes.
In the 55th minute, freshman Andre Martinez made it 3-0 with his volley goal near the top of the box. Freshman Kevin Jimenez closed out the scoring with his header goal off a corner kick in the 76th minute.
"I was happy that we had the lead at halftime, but I felt we needed to get the second and third to crush them mentally," said Noyes, whose team outshot Palomar 14-7. "In a scrimmage last week we were up 3-0 and let in two late goals. Today we finished off the other team and closed the game very well. Mental strength at this level can't be overlooked as we progress through this season."
Freshman Jesus Gutierrez posted the shutout in goal for the Vikings.
Long Beach (1-0) returns to action on Friday (Sept. 2) when it travels to San Diego City College for a 1 p.m. non-conference game.