Men’s Soccer: Rams win streak snapped in 0-0 tie

By Lucas Almeida
The Guardsman
Rams men's soccer player Wu Lo (17) passes the ball to a fellow teammate in efforts to score the first goal of the game against Cabrillo College on Oct. 25, 2011. The final score was a 0-0 tie. CLARIVEL FONG / THE GUARDSMAN
The City College men’s soccer team fought until the last minute but failed to defeat Cabrillo College on Oct. 25 when neither team was able to score. 

With the tie, the Rams (12-3-1, 7-1-1) snapped their six game winning streak but remained atop their conference with two weeks to go in the season.

“I think we played hard and the toughness in the way we played was really good but I just don’t think we played smart enough today,” head coach Adam Lucarelli said.

He believes that missed opportunities in the first half kept the team from scoring.

The Rams started the game by pressuring Cabrillo on the left side of the pitch. Sophomore left-winger Wu Lo created scoring opportunities crossing to the box, but the offense could not capitalize on them.

In the fourth minute, Lo fought for the ball passing it to freshman midfielder Pedro Sarabia who right-footed the ball curling near the post but missing high.

The first half continued with the Rams pressuring the Seahawks but they were held at bay for the majority of the match by the Cabrillo defense.

City College found itself trapped by Cabrillo’s defensive strategy. And on the offensive side the Seahawks relied on freshman midfielder Miguel Acero who tried to push the offense.

Rams freshman Cameron Leaver said he thought the team didn’t play their best against Cabrillo’s game plan.

“We had a lot of opportunities in the beginning but we just weren’t playing on what was open and we kind of stepped down to their level,” Leaver said.

As the second half started, the game continued very aggresively with both teams fighting for the ball.

The Seahawks had their best chance to take the lead in the 72nd minute when Acero fought for the ball and crossed perfectly for a free header in the box, but freshman forward Alan Barrientos was too slow to head the ball in to score.

Three minutes later the Rams countered with their best opportunity to score when Jaime Barragan received a pass from Jessie Cineros. Barragan’s shot was not quick enough to get by the Seahawks’ goalie and the game remained scoreless.

“Jesse sent me a wonderful ball and I tried to lob it over the goalie but he was really good and got to it,” said Barragan.

City College also faced West Valley and Ohlone College but results were not available in time for publication.

Before their next game against Chabot College on Nov. 8 the Rams will honor the 1961 championship soccer team who went undefeated.  Kick off will be at 4 p.m. after the pregame celebration.