Men's Soccer Preview: Tight Battle Predicted for Top Spot

With several teams playing top-flight teams during nonconference play, the win-loss records of the men's soccer programs in Orange Empire Conference are a bit dented heading into conference play next week, but rest assured, the best teams will rise to the top and capture the crown, much like Fullerton College did in 2023.

In alphabetical order, here is a team-by-team breakdown of all eight OEC teams prior to the start of the conference portion of the season.

CYPRESS (3-3-1) – Head coach Cristian Rus and his Chargers came out strong with two wins and a tie in their first three matches, but have slowed a bit since, dropping 3-of-4.

A pair of Cypress players – Alex Gomez and Frank Troya – have been go-to guys for the Charger offense, each leading the way with three goals. Jhonkarlo Vega is a point off the team lead with six (two goals, two assists).

In goal, Cypress has been using the pair of Daniel Zamarripa and Logan Bermudez for the majority of the work. Zamarripa has allowed 10 goals in just over 300 minutes of action, while Bermudez has allowed two over 247 minutes of play.

FULLERTON (4-3-1) – The defending OEC champs have taken on some tough challenges during the nonconference portion of the schedule, including Santa Rosa, Taft and Norco, but the Hornets have earned some solid wins over Yavapai Junior College (1-0), Bakersfield (2-0) and Cuyamaca (2-0), among others.

Fullerton is still looking for that go-to goal scorer, but seven different players have found the back of the net, including Cesar Marquez and Max Ron, who each have two.

The FC defense has allowed just seven goals this year (3rd-best in conference), with the combination of Steven Martinez and Ryan Moreno-Rojas combining for 35 saves and a .833 save percentage. 

GOLDEN WEST (0-4-1) – Another team with an uphill-type of nonconference schedule, the Rustlers earned a 3-3 draw against Santa Monica for their lone non-blemish during the early stages of the 2024 campaign with tough matchups against Cerritos, L.A. Mission, Norco and MiraCosta.

Brice Martinez leads GWC with a pair of goals through five games, while Jorge Orozco has a goal and an assist. In goal, Charlie Murray has a team-best 19 saves in 230 minutes of action, while Trevor Jones has racked up 11 saves over 165 minutes.

IRVINE VALLEY (2-5) – After a tough 0-3 start, the Lasers have been more on point, earning wins over Southwestern (2-1) and Rio Hondo (3-2) over their past four games.

Freshman midfielder Luke Newman has been the guy to cover the most for the Lasers after earning four goals and three assists through his first seven contests. Sophomores Armon Haghighat (two goals, three assists, seven points) and Marcio Costa (3-0, 6 points) had also given coach Conor Ward good scoring options up front.

In goal, Josh Simonton and Rolando Hernandez have shared the load in goal (300 minutes each) and both have come up with 14 saves, while allowing 17 goals.

ORANGE COAST (2-4-1) – Coach Kevin Smith's Pirates came out with wins in two of their first three matches, including a pair of 1-0 shutouts over Southwestern and East Los Angeles, both on the road. But OCC has mustered just a tie to go with three losses heading into OEC play.

Sophomore midfielder Brady Powell has two goals to lead the way for Coast, with single goals coming from Tai Khoshkbariie, Zenden Berbari, Lucas Fiche and Meyer Saad.

Cesar Pedroza-Acosta has done most of the work in goal for the Pirates and has 26 saves in over 400 minutes of action while posting a 2.44 goals-against average.

SADDLEBACK (3-2-1) – The Bobcats are coming into conference play with some good momentum after earning points in four of their last five contests (3-1-1), including wins over Cuyamaca (1-0), Pasadena City (1-0) and San Diego City (5-1).

Sophomore forward Andrew Jun has a team-best three goals for Saddleback, with Alejandro Gonzalez has two goals and an assist for five points. Four other Bobcats __ Tyler Petersen, Gus Roetcisoender, Alex Martinez and Antony Papacharalambous each have a goal as well.

Goalie Dominic DiFrenna has racked up 15 saves, while allowing just five goals in 385 minutes.

SANTA ANA (2-3-1) – A team rich in men's soccer history, the Dons are picking up their game with a 2-1-1 stretch over their last four matches, including a 2-1 win at San Diego Mesa and a home win over Chaffey (2-1).

The SAC point leader heading into OEC play is sophomore midfielder Juan Manzano with five points (2 goals, 1 assist), while Paul Carrillo and Miguel Gonzalez each have two goals.

Goalkeeper Nicolas Max Guerrero has been solid for the Dons with nine saves and only 12 goals allowed for a 2.58 GAA in 419 minutes.

SANTIAGO CANYON (2-3-1) – The Hawks came out strong with a 2-0-1 kickoff, only to drop three straight heading into next week. 

Noah Lopez has two goals to lead the SCC offense, with Andrew Marentes tied with Lopez in points with four (1G, 2 A). Single goals have also been turned in by Braydon Cerminelli, Hudson Dare and Sam Everakes.

Freshman goalkeeper Diego Saldivar has earned a pair of shutouts and 15 saves and has allowed just six goals in 441 minutes of action.

Release by Tony Altobelli, Orange Coast