MARAUDER MEN'S SOCCER LOSES TOUGH MATCH TO GLENDALE

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

LANCASTER - Sometimes a team can dominate a match from start to finish, but the only thing that matters is the final score.

That's exactly what happened on Tuesday to the Marauder men's soccer team.

AVC outplayed Glendale College from start to finish, but a fluke goal in the first half sent the Vaqueros home with a smile on their faces, while the Marauders were left scratching their heads.

It was a game AVC (7-9-2, 2-4-1) desperately needed as it dropped all the way to fifth place in conference, while Glendale (5-8-5, 4-1-2) gained a half game on Citrus College and moved into a tie for first place with the Owls. With three matches remaining, the Marauders need a lot of help and must win all three of their matches in order to contend for a conference championship.

AVC was dominant on the attacking end as it held a 14-2 advantage on overall shots. Glendale's goal came at 38:14 of the first half following an off-balance bicycle kick by the Vaqueros' Yassine Laraichi that somehow got past goalkeeper Nick Springer through the net.

Trailing 1-0, late in the second half with about 15 minutes remaining, AVC's Matthew Fletes scored an apparent goal, but it was waved off by the referees preserving Glendale's lead and the victory.

"It's unfortunate with the magnitude of this game, as well as dominating possession and out shooting them four to one that a poor call would determine the outcome of the match," AVC head coach Jerry Stupar said. "No whistle was blown on the foul and a game-tying goal was scored. Clearly the advantage call was given (to us) and then taken back.  After that they (Glendale) packed the back with nine defenders and cleared every ball out of the back to minimize opportunities for us. We played our hearts out for 90 minutes."

The Marauders' final three matches will be at home against Victor Valley College (on Friday) and Bakersfield College and on the road against College of the Canyons.