Santa Ana, CA - August 27, 2024: The Los Angeles Mission College Eagles kicked off their season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Santa Ana College. The win marked a strong start to the season for LA Mission, now standing at 1-0-0, while Santa Ana falls to 0-1-0.

First Half:

LA Mission came out strong, dominating the early moments of the match. The Eagles had several opportunities to score, with shots from Henry Lopez and Junior ElieMballa testing Santa Ana's goalkeeper, Nicolas Max Guerrero. Despite hitting the post and crossbar, Santa Ana struggled to capitalize on their few chances.

The breakthrough for LA Mission came in the 16th minute when Henry Lopez found the back of the net, putting the Eagles up 1-0. Lopez's goal was the result of persistent pressure and a well-placed shot that left Santa Ana's defense scrambling.

Second Half:

The second half saw Santa Ana push back, but LA Mission's defense, led by goalkeeper Josue Orona, held strong. In the 68th minute, LA Mission extended their lead to 2-0 with a goal from Pablo Leon, assisted by Jeff Jaimes. Leon's goal proved crucial as Santa Ana continued to press forward.

Santa Ana was finally able to get on the scoreboard in the 83rd minute with a penalty kick goal from Juan Manzano, narrowing the score to 2-1. Despite their efforts to equalize, Santa Ana could not break through LA Mission's defense again.

LA Mission's goalkeeper, Josue Orona, was instrumental in securing the victory, making several key saves, including a critical stop in the final minutes to deny Santa Ana a draw.

Final Thoughts:

LA Mission's victory was a testament to their resilience and teamwork. With strong performances on both ends of the field, the Eagles set a positive tone for the rest of the season. The coach's post-game comments highlighted the team's determination and the importance of maintaining this momentum as they prepare for their next match.

Final Score:
LA Mission 2, Santa Ana 1