Three First Half Goals Pace Dons to 3-1 Victory over Cypress College

Jesus Lopez (red jersey) watches as his goal sneaks in past the right post in the Dons 3-1 victory over Cypress College.
Jesus Lopez (red jersey) watches as his goal sneaks in past the right post in the Dons 3-1 victory over Cypress College.

SANTA ANA - The Dons scored all three of their goals in the first half of their 3-1 victory over visiting Cypress College. The win is the first for the Dons (5-1-3, 1-1-0) in Orange Empire Conference competition and comes one game after suffering their first loss of the season. The match also marked the first loss of the season for Cypress (6-1-2, 1-1-0).

Jorge Muratalla put the Dons up 1-0 when he scored in the 17th minute on a shot that glanced off the post on its way in. Carlos Martinez picked up the assist on that goal. Jesus Lopez extended the lead when he took a pass from Samuel Pradervand and found the back of the net on a shot.

The Dons capped their scoring in the 39th minute when Lopez fired a shot off the post that bounced straight back to Alan Rosas who collected the rebound and scored easily. Cypress' lone goal came in the 66th minute when Aaren Lewis took on the Dons defense by himself and scored.

The Chargers had a chance to cut the lead to one in the final moments when they were awarded a penalty kick in the final minute of regular time. But Dennis Hernandez made the safe just moments after entering the game for an injured Victor Osorio.

Before leaving the match, Osorio made four saves for the Dons while Hernandez turned away the only two shots he faced. Braydon Welch turned in a complete game performance for Cypress and made six saves along with the three goals allowed.