MARAUDERS MOVE INTO 1ST PLACE IN WSC SOUTH STANDINGS WITH WIN OVER BAKERSFIELD

Antelope Valley Men's Soccer outlasted Bakersfield 4-3 in an intense conference battle on Tuesday. The win moved the Marauders into first place in the Western State Conference South Division.

The Marauders came into the contest 1-1-3 while the Renegades were 1-1-2 in conference play. Bakersfield got on the board first when Edgar Gonzalez scored an unassisted goal in the 23rd minute. The game remained 1-0 through the break as both teams showed plenty of fast-paced, physical effort.

AVC even it up a few minutes into the second half when Fabian Duran scored off an assist from Rodrigo Martinez at 51:19. Duran has four goals and three assists on the season.

It appeared as if the Marauders would run away with the win after scoring two more goals within the next 10 minutes. Rodrigo Martinez scored off a penalty kick in the 55th minute, and Christopher Cortez scored with an assist from Christian Gonzalez in the 61st minute to give the Marauders a 3-1 lead.

The Renegades capitalized on a penalty kick (Edgar Gonzalez) in the 63rd minute to pull within one. At the 79:19 mark, they tied it up when Asier De Luz scored an unassisted goal.

A tie appeared imminent with a few seconds left in additional time, but Rodrigo Martinez received a penalty kick after a Bakersfield foul. Martinez punched it in for his second goal of the day. This one would give the Marauders the win and first place spot in the standings. Martinez is tied with Bryan Lima for the lead in goals for AVC with nine.

Antelope Valley, now 7-5-6 overall, will face two teams that they tied earlier this year to finish the season. First Citrus on Friday, then they return home to close out the regular season against Canyons on Tuesday, November 12th, at 5:00 pm at Brent Carder Marauder Stadium.