With seven goals, including the second hat trick of the season for senior midfielder Jimmie Villalobos, the men’s soccer team defeated the Cal State East Bay Pioneers in a 7-0 shutout Friday evening at Kellogg Stadium.
The Broncos came out ready to play, putting up four goals in the first half. The Broncos broke open the scoring in the 15th minute when senior midfielder Eduardo Faria delivered a perfect pass to Villalobos in the box. Villalobos managed to quickly shoot it past the Pioneers’ goalkeeper to give the Broncos the lead.
Not long after, in the 21st minute, Villalobos notched his second goal of the match on an assist by junior midfielder Omer Green.
Sophomore forward Gabriel Castillo was brought into the match in the 36th minute and only five minutes later, he found the back of the net. After a series of passes from senior midfielder Cyro Oliveira to sophomore defender Christian Miramontes, the ball finally landed at the feet of Castillo, who tapped it in.
Three minutes later, Castillo sank his second goal after another assist from Oliveira. That would wrap up the scoring for the remainder of the first half.
The Broncos did not stop at 4-0. Entering the second half, they were prepared to put even more goals on the board.
In the 53rd minute, senior forward Benny Lindahl scored his first goal of the season to increase the Broncos’ lead to five.
Only a few minutes later, Villalobos completed his second hat trick in the past three games off an assist from Oliveira.
“The performance (Friday) was quite good. Offensively, we were there,” Villalobos said. “Throughout the whole week our practices were about the forwards, midfielders and wingers learning some set plays and luckily we got seven goals, so it paid off.”
(Grace Mikuriya | The Poly Post)
After Villalobos’ three goals on Friday, he is now at 16 goals for the season, which is only five away from the program’s record of 21 goals scored in a season by Sergi Monso in 2017.
“I come out with a different mentality, but scoring is always my goal for every game,” Villalobos said. “Luckily, I got another hat trick. I am always thankful for my teammates for giving me the best opportunities.”
The scoring continued in the 70th minute when senior forward Jordan Jackmon received a pass from Miramontes and blasted it into the back of the net for the seventh and final goal of the match, leaving the Broncos with their sixth shutout in 10 games.
The Broncos outshot the Pioneers 25-4 and of the Broncos’ 25 shots, 13 were on goal.
Junior goalkeeper Jordan Aldama only had to make one save during the match.
“(Aldama) speaks really well and organizes (the players) in front of him,” head coach Matt O’Sullivan said. “I was happy with all the back line in front of him; they were organized, ready and looked focused.”
Friday’s game marked Aldama’s fourth shutout match this season.
“It is not just me, there are 10 guys above me,” Aldama said. “Even though I get the credit with the clean sheets, it starts with our forwards, midfielders and defenders defending in front of me. It is not just me, it’s everyone.”
Oliveira had quite the match, assisting four of the seven goals scored. He now has a total of nine assists this season, as he leads the California Collegiate Athletic Association’s (CCAA) division II standings for most assists.
“I thought the guys made it simple just by playing simple. Sometimes it’s that easy,” O’Sullivan said. “It became a little bit harder at the end because we didn’t move the ball. I am delighted with the shutout because I think it shows focus and desire to keep our position at bay. I am really happy about that.”
After Friday’s match, the Pioneers’ conference record fell to 0-9, as they increased their losing streak to 11 games.
On Sunday, the Broncos celebrated senior day as they defeated the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters 2-1 for the Broncos’ last home game of the season.
In the 17th minute, the Otters took the lead which would wrap up the scoring for the half.
The Broncos entered the second half ready to turn things around.
In the 61st minute, Oliveira received an assist from Faria and knocked it in to tie up match.
The intensity of the game was heightened as both teams fought hard to take the lead.
With five minutes remaining in the match, senior defender Ori Kenett sent Faria a pass. Faria blasted it past the Otters’ goalkeeper for the game winner.
Sunday’s win ensured the Broncos a first-round bye in the CCAA Tournament, which will take place in two weeks.
The Broncos will head north for their final match of the regular season on Wednesday as they take on Sonoma State at 12:30 p.m.
