Dons Lose First Conference Game of Season 4-2 to Orange Coast

SANTA ANA - The Coast Community College teamed up to knock the Dons out of first place in the Orange Empire Conference as SAC lost to visiting Orange Coast College 4-2 while Golden West College remained undefeated in conference play with a 2-1 victory over Irvine Valley College.

The Dons scored first on a Noel Arvizu goal, assisted by Ricardo Gonzalez in the 37th minute, but the Pirates (7-3-1, 3-2-0) wasted no time to get the equalizing goal. It took the Pirates 55 seconds to knot up the match at 1-1 when Dong-Gi Shin headed in a Jorge Sanchez cross.

Shin would add a second goal, again on a header, in the 45th minute to send the Pirates to the half with a 2-1 lead. Shin's second goal came off a corner kick by Brandon Bauman.

Bauman and Sanchez, who assisted on the first two goals, teamed up in the 58th minute to extend OCC's lead to 3-1. Bauman recorded his second assist of the game with Sanchez getting the goal.

The Dons were able to cut the lead to 3-2 in the 65th minute when Diego Zarate foundChristian Duarte on the far post. Duarte headed the pass in to keep the Dons close in the match.

However, SAC was unable to find the equalizer and instead found themselves down 4-2 when Sanchez set up Chase Nugent in the 83rd minute for the insurance goal.

Chris Martinez started the game in goal for the Dons and made one save on the only shot he faced before being replaced by Jose Garcia following an injury. Garcia allowed all four goals while turning away one other.

On the other side of the field, Connor Nelson made seven saves for the Pirates while allowing a pair of goals in 90 minutes.

The Dons look to bounce back from this loss on Friday when they travel to Irvine Valley College. Game time is 3:00 p.m.