Soccer: OCU Sting opens preseason

HUNTINGTON BEACH - The OCU Sting, a boys under 19 silver elite

team, began its preseason in the South Coast Soccer Club tournament this

past weekend with one tie and two losses. The club finished in third

place in the State Cup last season.

On Saturday morning, the Sting faced the AV Heat which scored first.

OCU’s Brian Walton tied the score with a penalty kick in the second half.

The Heat scored late in the game for the 2-1 win.

The Sting was matched against the NPSC Bangu in the afternoon game.

The offensive unit was led by Justin Collins, Ryan Lancaster, Jeff

Kinkopf, Billy Lund and Chasen Marshall. Jordan Christian, assisted by

David Jenkins, scored on a header and Walton scored on another penalty

kick but the Sting gave up two late goals for a 3-2 loss.

On Sunday the Sting faced the SoCal United, a premier team from

Newbury Park. The teams were evenly matched most of the first half with

few shots on goal. The United scored late in the first half.

In the second half the Sting’s offense battled back with several shots

on goal. The Sting’s defense, led by Kevin Yoches, Ryan Denman, Brian

Henry and Scott Nickerson in goal, kept the match close until the end. In

the last minute of the game Lancaster scored on a direct kick from the

six-yard line to tie the match, 1-1.