Men’s soccer: Orange Coast drops opener

COSTA MESA - The Orange Coast College men’s soccer team dropped its

season opener Monday, 3-2, to visiting Cerritos in a temper-filled

nonconference contest.

Twelve red and yellow cards were given out to the two teams during the

contest. Two yellow cards to one OCC player forced the Pirates to play

nearly 60 minutes of the game shorthanded.

Coast had a 1-0 lead after the first half thanks to a goal by Dante

Zena three minutes into the contest, but Cerritos responded with three

straight goals, including two off of penalty kicks.

OCC’s Stanton Duke cut the Falcons’ lead to 3-2, but the Pirates could

not get any closer.

Ryan Lancaster and Sean Ganey each added assists for the Pirates,

while goalkeeper Joey Balbas recorded seven saves.

OCC will host Rio Hondo in nonconference action Thursday at 4 p.m.