Men’s soccer season ends in shootout loss against Fresno City

By Matthew Gomez
Staff Writer

The Rams men’s soccer team saw an impressive season come to an end, following their loss to Fresno City College 5-4 on penalty kicks Nov. 28.

City College finished 16-3-5 for the year, after falling a game short of the semifinals in the State Championships.

“This was a very successful season,” head coach Adam Lucarelli said. “This was probably one of my most enjoyable seasons to coach.”

The team revolved less around one or two star players than the team as a whole. Players felt there was a balance and everyone was able to rely on each other.

A few highlights from the past season were the team’s 4-1 victory over their rival Hartnell College, and their three-goal comeback after trailing 2-0 at halftime against Foothill College in the second round of the playoffs.

In anticipation of next season the team will continue training throughout the year. They will lift weights, condition and work on technique as well as recruit replacements for their departing sophomores.

Goalkeeper Rene Martinez, defender Jorge Ramirez and forward Alan LaSpina, all of them captains, will be moving on to four-year universities.

Most of the freshman will be stepping up as starters, so Lucarelli feels good knowing they’ve been around the program for the last year.

“We’ll just build from that and keep going,” Lucarelli said. “We will be relying heavily on them next season.”

Lucarelli will be scouting high school and club games throughout the Bay Area. He said his players do a great deal of recruiting since they tell their friends about the soccer program.

The Rams, who came into this season with lower expectations, advanced further in the playoffs than in the previous two seasons.