ALISO VIEJO, CA- Soka University of America's men's soccer team defeated the Providence Christian College Sea Beggars 2-1 on Thursday night at the Lion's Den Soccer Stadium.
 
Providence Christian was the first to convert, as striker Natye Whitt gave the Sea Beggars the early 1-0 lead after their central midfielder Nikola Vinski dispossessed Soka in the middle-third of the field. Vinski slotted his pass through the Lions' back line, and Whitt finished his shot low and into the back post.

Despite outshooting the Sea Beggars 15-7 in the first half, the Lions were unable to find the equalizer during the first period of play. However, Soka stayed patient, and continued to possess, creating seams between the opposition's defense. In the 53^rd minute of the match, sophomore striker Gerardo De La Torre tied the score after he finished first-time off of Providence Christians goal keeper's Kevin Aranda's initial save. Aranda made the quick reaction save off of Soka's first-year Jesus Cabrera's shot, which rebounded to De La Torre inside of the six-yard box. De La Torre blasted his shot into the upper netting, tying the game, and providing his side with the momentum they needed to put away the game.

The Lions' energy continued to build, and four minutes later, De La Torre connected with senior Yauri De Groot at the top of the box. De Groot feinted right, beat his defender, and slipped his shot into the back post for the 2-1 lead.

Soka thwarted the Sea Beggars' attack, holding them to five shots on frame, and junior goal keeper Maxwel Barainca's diving save with seven minutes left to play, propelled the Lions to their first Cal Pac Conference win of the 2019 season.  

"We're always happy to get a win, and I'm proud of how the guys stuck to the game plan even after going a goal down," said Head Coach Ian Eggleston. "Credit to Providence Christian for making it hard for us early on in the game, but I thought once we settled down and started to knock the ball around we were the better team and thoroughly deserved the win. Now it's time to recover quickly and look forward to our game on Saturday."

Up next, the Lions will continue with California Pacific Conference play on Saturday Sept. 28. 2019, when they host California Maritime Academy. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
 
 
 


NOTES: This is the fifth meeting between the Lions and the Sea Beggars… Soka is now 5-0 over Providence Christian College… Soka outshot Providence Christian 28 to 12… Soka's Barainca made four saves on the day… the Lions are now 5-2 overall and 1-0 in Cal Pac Conference play… yellow cards were shown to the Sea Beggars' Joe Byron and Victor Vinales... De La Torre leads the Cal Pac Conference in shots (47) and shots on goal (21)… De La Torre now has 16 points on the season (6 goals/4 assists)…  De Groot leads the Cal Pac in goals (8)… De Groot now has 18 points on the season (8 goals/ 2 assists).