The Clarion Online

Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Roy LaBomme EXCUSE ME SIR: Owls freshman Abdellatif Aldmaisy holds back a defender. The owls eventually lost to Moorpark 4-3.

The men's soccer team squandered an early lead against Moorpark on Oct. 5 and lost the game, 4-3. In the second half, Citrus almost pulled off a muchneeded win and upset over the top-seeded Raiders, but it was not to be.
By contrast, Moorpark demonstrated why they are 5-0 in WSC play. They came from behind to beat Citrus on the road in a game that was as physical and competitive as watching two boxers exchange right-and-left punches.
After the game, Jose Solis, Owls captain, summed up his team's loss.
"We started off good and then we collapsed," he said.
In the beginning of the first half, Citrus put up a strong front, keeping the Raiders at bay, defensively challenging their every play.
At one point, the Owls had broken up a Moorpark pass. Rushing downfield with the interception was Solis, who attacked the Raiders but was fouled while trying to score.
Solis was rewarded with a penalty shot. Right after that play, Citrus scored. It was 1-0 and the Owls were looking as if they were ready to hand Moorpark its first defeat.
Next, Owl forward Julio Escalante was brought down while trying to penetrate the Moorpark midfield with 10 minutes remaining until the halftime. Citrus was given a penalty shot.
Solis booted a shot right behind Raiders goalie Chris Munoz, putting Citrus two goals up at the break.
After the break Moorpark's forward Patrick Smith, started to take over the game by kicking a deflection in for a goal, cutting the Owls lead to 2-1.
"We just thought that we played weak in the first half and Citrus started out strong. We just stuck to working hard and passing better," Smith said.
As play intensified, Moorpark gained momentum and showed experience. Smith scored on a header, his second goal of the game. It was tied 2-2 at the 80-minute mark.
Five minutes later, the Raiders were given a penalty shot, and scored for the third time.
Citrus strikers fought right back. Escalante ran past one defender, then split two other Raiders and hammered a goal to keep Citrus tied 3-3, but the game wouldn't stay tied for long.
Moorpark proved to be more resilient, scoring its fourth goal as Citrus began to look confused and tired.
"My team really respects Citrus, they played good and maximized the field well," said Sean Roche, Moorpark's head coach. "However you find a way to win-it's all about that W."
The Owls next home match is Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. against Santa Barbara.

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