For 80 minutes the men’s soccer team played the Beautiful Game beautifully, holding last season’s state champions scoreless.
It was the last 10 minutes that got ugly.
Mt. San Antonio College scored three goals in the final 10 minutes to complete a 3-0 romp that knocked SWC out of the Pacific Coast Conference playoffs.
“They were an exceptional team,” said head soccer coach Cem Tont of Mt. SAC. “They are the defending state champs. We played flat and tired.”
Mt. SAC controlled the majority of the 90-minute battle, though the Jaguar defense was up to the challenge. Offensively, however, the Jags were stymied and only attempted two shots on goal.
SWC goalkeeper Sergio Duck was brilliant for 80 minutes, turning away a barrage of shots. Defensive breakdowns proved to be too much.
Tont, the philosophical former Turkish national star, said losses are never fun, but he was happy with his squad. SWC had a 15-2-6 record.
“I told the team we had a great season,” he said. “We are one of the best teams in California. We played very attractive soccer. I am very proud of them.”
SWC’s first round, 1-0 win over San Diego City College was far less attractive. It was downright ugly.
Tont said the physical game and the nearly violent confrontation afterwards drained the team.
“We were overwhelmed by our last game,” said Tont. “Our style is very high pressure. We have expectations for them to defend and counter, but we will impose the way we play.”
A scoreless opening half was bruising to both teams.
“In the first half, they dominated us,” said freshman defender Esteban Salcedo. “I wish we could’ve put the game away early in the first half. But we got on track and started playing how we usually play and we turned the tables and dominated the game.”
In the second half the Jags and SDCC both engaged in physical play. Officials hit SWC with several yellow cards. SDCC players mocked the Jags bench and the game grew more heated.
Regulation and stoppage time ended with a 0-0 tie. Being that it was a knockout playoff game, the Jags went to play in overtime tired and upset.
Halfway through the first half of overtime the Jags scored then held off a desperate City College flourish to claim a 1-0 victory.
“San Diego City College always gives us a competitive game,” said sophomore forward Chris Navarro. “We stuck it out and played hard. If it wasn’t for the whole team and our coaches we wouldn’t be here, we wouldn’t have won the game.”