Long Beach Men's Soccer Drifts into Scoreless Draw against L.A. Mission

Still without a win on the season, the Long Beach City College men's soccer team hit their home pitch for the first time in in more than two weeks to take on L.A. Mission on Friday evening. The defense was the story for the Vikings in a scoreless draw as they moved their record to 0-5-2 on the season.

Freshman goalkeeper Saul Ocampo (Hawaiian Gardens, CA) was on point for Long Beach as he hauled in a total of five saves on the night. One of his more impressive stops came in the 29th minute on a loose ball in the box. Ocampo left the backline and made an athletic stop in with his foot to keep the scoreless affair.

Long Beach only had one shot on goal throughout the first half, as freshman Carlos Maldonado (Downey, CA) tried a strike, but to no avail. Sophomore Hector Rojo (Bellflower, CA) took control of the defensive unit early on as well. Freshman defenders Aldo Solis (Bellflower, CA) and Anthony Gonzalez (Compton, CA) accompanied him in the effort. Freshman midfielder Francisco Sanchez (Bellflower, CA) worked endlessly to keep the ball in Viking possession as well.   

The second half was a different story with Long Beach recording seven shots and a pair of corner kicks. Freshman defender Christopher Ribet (Cerritos, CA) nearly banged in a header off a corner kick just seconds after entering into the contest. Maldanado tried his foot two more times while H. Solis uncorked two as well. 

Unfortunately, the Vikings could not located the back of the net to lead to the endless draw. 

Maldonado led the firing squad with three shots, while Solis and Rojo followed suit with two each. 

The Vikings (0-5-2) will hunt for their first victory at home against Canyons on Wednesday, September 21 at 4 p.m.