Super sub Alfonso Lopez nets game-winner as Oxnard moves on to CCCAA Men's Soccer Championship
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | Merced | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 5 (3) | 11 (3) |
| Saves | 2 | 3 |
| Fouls | 9 | 6 |
| Corner Kicks | 2 | 2 |
| Offsides | 5 | 2 |
SACRAMENTO - Oxnard College's Alfonso Lopez wasted no time making his presence felt during Friday's semifinal matchup against Merced College, entering the game in the 77th minute and then tallying the game-winning goal just over a minute later as Oxnard upended Merced College at American River College to advance to the CCCAA Men's Soccer Championship against defending champion Mt. San Antonio on Sunday.
The Condors improved to 21-1-1 with their 16th win. They'll be looking to avenge a 3-0 loss to Mt. SAC on Sept. 27 in a nonconference matchup that preceded their current winning streak. Merced had its 10-game unbeaten streak snapped with Friday's loss, finishing with an impressive 17-4-3 record. The Blue Devils were looking for their first state banner.
Oxnard outshot Merced, 11-5, but matched the Blue Devils with three shots on goal. But none of the attempts found their mark until Lopez came on to the pitch in the 77th minute. Just shy of 90 seconds later, Lopez struck with his left foot, firing the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. It was his sixth shot on goal this season and his sixth goal.
Merced wasn't able to get a shot off the rest of the way as Oxnard's defense tightened, resulting in the 1-0 final score.
Pablo Orozco had a game-high three shots for Oxnard while Danny Orozco and Pedro Santos-Jimenez each had two. Efrain Perez stopped all three shots on goal from Merced while the Blue Devil's Angel Ruiz-Hernandez had a pair of saves.
Sunday's championship match begins at noon and will be streamed at www.cccaasports.org and www.BAOSN.tv.
