When it comes to men's soccer, the one great thing about the Orange Empire Conference is simple -- anyone can win it!
With the OEC as deep and balanced as ever before, as many as six or seven teams have the talent to end up on top of one of the toughest conferences in all of California community college athletics.
In alphabetical order, here is a team-by-team breakdown of the OEC, with conference play beginning on Tuesday afternoon.
CYPRESS (5-0-2 overall) -- The Chargers have opened their 2014 season unbeaten through seven matches -- the first time in school history that a Cypress men's soccer team has done that heading into conference play. This is a FAR cry from last year, where the Chargers finished last in the OEC with an overall record of 3-14-4 (1-11-2 in conference).
Cypress has outscored its opponents 17-4 and enter OEC play on the heels of a two-match win streak (1-0 over MiraCosta and 6-0 over College of the Desert).
Freshman Aaren Lewis currently leads all conference players with five goals and 11 points, while teammate Shawn Hansen is close behind with three goals and seven points. Ryan Jara and Robin Larsson each have earned two goals each for the Chargers to add to their offensive firepower.
Goalkeeper Braydon Welch has allowed just five goals in 360 minutes of action (1.25 GAA) with three wins and a pair of shutouts along the way.
FULLERTON (2-2-3 overall) -- The Hornets are entering OEC play following a very impressive 5-0 win over San Bernardino Valley College -- one of the top teams in Southern California year in and year out. That win snapped a five match winless streak (0-2-3), but the competition has been tough for FC to start the season, with Glendale, Chaffey and Southwestern on the 2014 nonconference docket, among others.
A pair of Hornets -- Brian Jaquez and Elliot Carillo -- each have four goals and 10 points to lead the offense, while Jose Garcia has added two goals into the mix as well.
Hornet goaltending has struggled a bit through the first seven games, allowing 13 goals. A trio of keepers -- Estevan Romero, Julian Sanchez and Marco Barrera -- has combined for 33 saves and a pair of shutouts during nonconference play.
GOLDEN WEST (3-1-2 overall) -- Two years removed from their last OEC men's soccer crown, the Rustlers look to be returning to their 2012 form. GWC earned victories over Southwestern (2-1), Cuyamaca (4-2) and El Camino-Compton (3-1) and had a pair of ties against El Camino (2-2) and San Diego City (1-1). The Rustlers' lone loss came at the hands of powerhouse Cerritos (1-2).
With 13 goals scored through their first six matches, the Rustlers have been led by sophomore Alex Velazquez with two goals and five points.
In goal Jerry Berber has logged the most minutes (270) and is 3-0 with 12 saves and a 1.33 GAA.
IRVINE VALLEY (1-3-3 overall) -- A team that notched a conference-high nine ties last year, the pattern has continued for the Lasers in 2014 with three stalemates already in 2014.
IVC has earned a 3-2 win over Moorpark, while its three ties have come to Glendale (2-2), Rio Hondo (0-0) and Hartnell (0-0).
The offense has struggled to come around during nonconference play as the Lasers have totaled just five goals through seven games. Freshman Alan Anaya leads the way with two goals, while Sean Goode and Alexis Plata each have a goal and an assist.
In goal, Elias Licea has been strong for IVC, allowing just eight goals in 585 minutes (1.23 GAA) with 38 saves and two shutouts.
ORANGE COAST (1-2-3 overall) -- Much like the Lasers, the Pirates have struggled to find their offensive rhythm. After a stellar 2013 run that saw Coast win its first conference title since 1991, the hard work has returned to 2014, but the wins have been hard to come by. After opening things with a solid 3-1 win at Rio Hondo, Coast has gone 0-2-3, scoring just one goal along the way.
Sophomore Brice Manning has two goals to lead OCC's offense, while Carlos Valencia has a goal and an assist.
Fortunately for the Pirates, returning conference Co-MVP, goalkeeper Nathan Brown, has continued his stellar play from a year ago, posting 36 saves and a 0.83 GAA in 540 minutes of action.
NORCO (1-4-2 overall) -- On a positive note for the Mustangs -- they enter OEC play on a winning note, thanks to a 2-1 win at Victor Valley College.
Individual stats are not available.
SANTA ANA (4-0-3) -- The conference kingpin for the majority of the past two decades, the Dons appear to be on the right track towards another deep conference title run. The Dons have wins over Oxnard (2-1), San Bernardino Valley (3-0), Palomar (8-0) and Cuyamaca (1-0), with ties coming to El Camino (1-1), East Los Angeles (0-0) and Pasadena (2-2).
SAC has notched 17 goals this year, with an incredible 13 players scoring them! Victor Bravo, Gary Carbajal, Jorge Muratalla and Guillermo Saldana each have two goals for the Dons, while Carlos Martinez leads with way with five points (one goal, three assists).
In goal, freshman Dennis Hernandez has been strong, allowing only four goals in 585 minutes (0.62 GAA) with three shutouts.
SANTIAGO CANYON (4-1-1) -- At a school where the women's soccer program is among the tops in the state, the Hawks are now flapping their wings with authority on the men's side, thanks to a 4-1-1 nonconference mark.
The Hawks' offense is clicking at the right time with a modest two-match win streak, outscoring the competition 7-1 over that span. Through six games, the Hawks carry a 14-5 advantage in goals heading into conference play.
SCC's offense is spearheaded by a trio of sophomores -- Ivan Azpeitia (four goals, one assist), Daniel Gonzalez (three goals, three assists) and Hugo Cobian (three goals, one assist).
Goalkeeper stats not available.