Pirates jump out early, topple Lasers, 3-1
IRVINE -- The Orange Coast College men's soccer team used a pair of first half goals to pace a 3-0 Orange Empire Conference win over host Irvine Valley College on Tuesday afternoon.
OCC (6-3-1, 3-1 in OEC) scored first when Baji Chela picked up a loose ball off a Brandon Bauman shot attempt and ripped a shot into the back of the net in the 16th minute.
Just three minutes later, Chase Nugent sent a cross-pass to teammate Jorge Sanchez and the freshman forward beat the Lasers' goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
IVC (3-5-2, 0-3 in OEC) had some scoring opportunities early on, but Pirate goalkeeper Connor Nelson was up to the task, stopping five shots in the game before a late Laser goal in the final minute of play eliminated the potential shutout.
Lasers' netminder Wilbur Oliver also had five saves in the loss.
The Pirates will return to action on Friday as the first part of a soccer doubleheader as they host rival Golden West College, beginning at 1 p.m. The OCC women will follow with a matchup with the Rustlers at 3 p.m.
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