Rams hold out to claim 2-1 victory over Napa Valley

By Cliff Fernandes

cferna44@mail.ccsf.edu

 

On Aug 31, the men’s soccer team walk away with a 2-1 victory over Napa Valley College in the season opener with goals by Alejandro Perez (#18) and Eruvey Arceta (#27).

Head coach, Adam Lucarelli, commented at the full time whistle, “Technically-wise we have to get better and some of our decision making, but I think our effort was really good, our effort and our fight was good, we just didn’t execute a lot of the plays we should’ve.”

Despite the win, the game was scrappy and performances waned towards the second half. After a large defensive spell, City College conceded a late goal as Napa Valley looked to equalize.

Head Coach, Adam Lucarelli, address’ the team at the end of the game. Photo by Cliff Fernandes/The Guardsman
Head Coach, Adam Lucarelli, address’ the team at the end of the game. Photo by Cliff Fernandes/The Guardsman
#10, Alejandro Perez ran the defense ragged, looking to score again. Photo by Cliff Fernandes/The Guardsman
#10, Alejandro Perez ran the defense ragged, looking to score again. Photo by Cliff Fernandes/The Guardsman

Attacking potential

The Rams short build up play held, but did not sustain, as possession broke down.

However, Napa’s high defensive line created enough space for early thru balls, and the City College’s pull back into midfield, put plenty of numbers into the box.

Apart from moments of promise throughout the match, rough edges are to be expected, as the new Rams team make their debut at the college level.

Assistant Coach, Jesus Hernandez said, “You can see them at scrimmages, at practice all you want but until you play that first game you don’t really know what you have and you don’t really know who’s going to perform, at what level. So this was definitely a gage and I feel like we have a lot to improve on.”

Late in the game the Rams lost a sizeable amount of possession due to clearances that went out of play or into empty areas of

the pitch.

Freshman Gabriel Arias stood out, even though he didn’t score. Playing the full 90 minutes, he was initially center mid, but ended the evening as right back when Napa Valley made a late push. Efforts that hadn’t gone unnoticed, as indicated by Coach Lucarelli.