Men’s soccer: Pirates gets first-round revenge

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - This time, the Orange Coast College Pirates didn’t let

Los Angeles Harbor dance on their field.

In a revenge game for the OCC men’s soccer team, the Pirates opened up

the Southern California Regional Playoffs with a 2-1 win Tuesday over the

visitors from the South Coast Conference.

Orange Coast (16-3-4), the sixth seed, will play Saturday at

third-seeded Santa Barbara (13-3-6), most likely at 7 p.m. Santa Barbara,

the Western State Conference champion, tied visiting OCC, 2-2, Sept. 11.

L.A. Harbor (11-6-3) defeated the Pirates, 3-1, Sept 19. And the

Seahawks rubbed it in as Josh Smith danced in front of OCC’s bench after

he scored the final goal that put the Pirates away.

OCC, motivated by a seven-game winning streak and revenge on the

Seahawks, scored two goals in the first half and held off a second-half

comeback.

“That was the strongest memory I had of that game,” said OCC sophomore

Geno Vitale-Sansosti of the Smith dance. “I was not happy with the last

game and I was looking forward to beating them.”

Vitale-Sansosti’s assist to Ian Buchanan in the 38th minute, put the

Pirates up, 2-0. Vitale-Sansosti headed the ball to Buchanan on the wing

for a breakaway. Buchanan beat goalie Carlos Pacheco to the ball and

kicked it into the empty net.

“We definitely had that dance in the back of our minds,” said

Buchanan, who is known for his defensive prowess and was selected

first-team All-Orange Empire Conference. “I just took advantage of the

opportunity. Geno gave me a sweet ball.”

The Pirates led, 1-0, after Matt Moseley finished off Billy Pena’s

corner kick in the 26th minute.

OCC, though leading, 2-0, played virtually even with the Seahawks in

the first half. Both teams had nine shots on goal. And just before

halftime, Harbor raised the level of its physical play, setting the scene

for a second half that was more similar to a boxing match than a soccer

game.

The second half featured roughness as three fights almost broke out

and five yellow cards were assessed, three for Harbor and two for OCC.

Smith head-butted Buchanan’s face and gave him a bloody nose as the

official looked in the opposite direction. Buchanan became calm and

didn’t retaliate. Harbor Coach Bill Barlow quickly substituted for Smith.

“I knew his season was over, so I didn’t want to do anything,” said

Buchanan, bleeding from his left nostril. “I’m better than that. I don’t

need to get involved.”

Buchanan’s non-retaliation, much less self-defense, was just one of

the few keys that led the Pirates to the victory. Assistant Coach Kevin

Smith was impressed with the freshman Buchanan.

“Ian has been our MVP,” Smith said. “He’s not really a goal scorer.

And for him to get the game-winning goal is just awesome. He stepped it

up. He’s intense. He’s so solid at the midfield for us. Our biggest move

that we made this year was moving him back to the center of midfield. He

really solidified our midfield. And that’s why the second half of league

we’ve won seven straight.”

OCC outshot L.A. Harbor 27-15 as Pacheco finished with 17 saves. OCC’s

goalie, Hilario Arriaga, an Estancia High product, saved six shots.

OCC’s playoff appearance is the first in five seasons. Last year, the

Pirates finished 3-14-2, but Coach Laird Hayes credits a coaching change

at midseason and the contributions of Kevin Smith and Pat Callaghan.