Glendale beats Imperial Valley 3-0 Sept. 2; Improves to 3-0 this season
It has been said that a solid defense wins games and if that is the case, the Glendale College Men's Soccer team is forging a successful path at the outset of the 2022 season. The Vaqueros improved to 3-0 with their second straight shutout victory, a 3-0 win over visiting Imperial Valley College Friday Sept. 2 at Sartoris Field.
Offensively, GCC is getting the job done thanks to the standout play of freshman John Crispi, who scored his third goal of the year to give Glendale a 1-0 lead at the 13:17 mark of the first half and expanded that to 2-0 in the first half by Lan Shin "Austin" Csai at the 25:14 mark of the first 45 minute stanza. Derik Stepanians added the third and final goal at the 55:59 mark of the second half as the Vaqs totaled 24 shots for the game.
But it is the effort of the defense that seems to be the game changer three games into the 2022 season, as the gritty and tenacious Vaqueros only allowed the visitors seven shots on the day that resulted in three saves by sophomore goalie and team captain Mario Trujillo. It was Trujillo's second straight shutout win and he credited not only an improved defense but an overall positive team outlook for the early season success.
"We had a good start to the season last year but this year has been even better because we practice hard and it shows with how we are approaching every game,' Trujillo said after the game. "As a goalie I don't feel like I'm back there defending by myself because our players are challenging every ball besides limiting shot attempts, it is creating good opportunities for us to score on offense, which takes the pressure off of all of us.''
In a matchup of crosstown rivals Tuesday Sept. 6, GCC hosts Pasadena City College, 2-0-1, at 7:30 pm at Sartoris Field.