Defending champion Warriors rally for second-half win over Irvine Valley

3C2A Scoreboard

TORRANCE - The defending 3C2A State and National Champion El Camino College Warriors men's soccer team opened the 2024 season with a 6-4 victory over Irvine Valley College.

The Warriors' defense who allowed just 13 goals all last season allowed three in the first half and one in the second half. With a new backline and a new starting goalkeeper, the Warriors relied on their offense to lead them to victory. 

The Warriors started their game with their foot on the gas pedal with three shots early.  

However, Irvine Valley executed a counter-attack with Armon Haghighat opening the scoring. The Lasers added a second after Luke Newman outraced the Warrior defense on a long ball to take a 2-0 lead.

The Warriors got one back in the 39th minute after Charlie Cazares scored on an Ivan Torres assist to make it a 2-1 game.

However, the Lasers added a third goal before the half to take a 3-1 lead into halftime.

The Warriors came out of the second half on a mission after Erik Kerner scored in the 47th minute. Marvin Gamez played a through ball to Steven Alvarenga who crossed it over to an open Kerner for a tap-in to make it 3-2.

The defending National Juco player of the year Marvin Gamez scored his first goal of the season in the 51st minute. Palomares played a ball to Gamez inside the box and Gamez shook his defender loose and slot it past the keeper to make it 3-3.

The Lasers regained the lead after Luke Newman drilled a freekick from 30 yards out to put IVC up 4-3.

The Warriors scored three unanswered in the 62nd, 71st, and 90th minute to get the 6-4 win over the Lasers. Marvin Gamez added his second in the 62nd minute to tie the game at 4-4. 

Steven Alvarenga added his second in the 71st after Gamez sent in a cross to the middle of the box that Diego Martinez deflected to Alvarenga who scored to make it 5-4.

The Warriors added their final in the 90th minute. After a free kick from outside the box. Rua sent in a ball to Issa El Assai who was running into the box from the halfway line after subbing into the game. His first touch he scored on a ball sent in from Rua to make it 6-4.

Robert Baker picked up the win after making one save in the game.

(Rafael Guerrero, El Camino College Athletics)