SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana men's soccer team came from behind to defeat the Los Angeles Mission Eagles 3-1 in the first round of the California Community College Athletic Association Southern Regional Playoffs on Saturday afternoon.
LA Mission shocked the Dons with a goal just two minutes into the game to take the lead and the momentum. The Eagles had a few more good looks at the goal but the Dons settled in and weathered the storm shortly after.
With 16 minutes gone in the first half, Santa Ana got their first good run and earned a penalty kick which Abel Bautista put in for his third goal of the season.
Instead of settling for the tie going into halftime, the Dons continued to put balls into the box and were rewarded when Miguel Gomez crossed one right into the top left corner of the LAMC goal to set up another sideline celebration and give SAC a 2-1 lead.
In the second half, the Eagles had to be more aggressive if they wanted to score the equalizer. They outshot the Dons 11-6 and held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks, yet Santa Ana's defense held up when it was needed.
In the 86th minute, Roberto Venegas knocked in his second goal of the season on a cross from Alan Ayala Aguirre to put the game away for good and send the Dons into the second round of the playoffs.
UP NEXT
Santa Ana will host the winner of the match between No. 5 Santa Monica and No. 12 Chaffey on Tuesday, November 20th at 2:00 p.m.
