Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Chris Qian Shane Kilby attempts to get past a West Valley defender at Chabot College on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

The men's soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss to West Valley College, which is currently ranked third among Northern California junior colleges. The Chabot men's soccer team lost their second straight game and fourth loss in the past five games.

"The defense played well, but as a team we need to start playing as one," said defender Alex Sincerny.

"We need to keep playing hard, and keep our heads up."

The Gladiator defense played a great first half. With some help from the midfield, the Gladiator defense stopped all of West Valley's attacks. Whenever West Valley tried to get an attack going, a Gladiator player was there to take it away, and when the opposition got close to scoring even the goalkeeper, Carlos Cerda, stopped a few.

In the 33rd minute, West Valley had a break away, but Cerda came off his line to block the shot with his feet.

Although the Gladiators had possession of the ball throughout the first half, the Gladiator offense was put to a halt by the defenders of West Valley.

In the 41st minute, the Gladiators' leading goal scorer, Junior Leonardo, took a shot but it went straight to the keeper's hands.

The second half started the same as the first, as the Gladiators continued to keep possession of the ball. They had total control of the game, until mistakes by Chabot's defenders allowed West Valley to put the ball in the back of the net.

In the 62nd minute, the Gladiator defense failed to clear the ball out and allowed a West Valley break away. The West Valley forward had a one-on-one with the goalie and took a shot. His shot was blocked by goalkeeper Juan Villapondo, but the blocked shot bounced right back off the West Valley forward and the ball went into the Gladiators' goal. This put West Valley ahead 1-0.

"The defenders are killing me," said head coach Tony Igwe.
"Sometimes the defenders forget what they need to do and they need to stop trying to dribble the ball so much in their own end."

The Gladiators worked hard to try and tie the game, but they never got a clear shot off. The West Valley defense would quickly double-team an open Chabot player and kick the ball out.

This left a frustrated Gladiator team for the rest of the game. With four minutes left until the final whistle, West Valley went on another break away.

The forward centered the ball to his fellow teammate and easily headed the ball into the goal past Villapondo.

West Valley breathed a sigh of relief, as they went ahead 2-0.
"We need to change our system of play and give some opportunities to some of our other players," said coach Igwe about how he will try to bring the Gladiators back to winning form.

The Gladiators next game will be at home on Friday at 4 p.m. against Gavilan College. This will be part of a double-header with the Lady Gladiators who are scheduled to play the Lady Colts of Cañada College at 6 p.m.

The Lady Gladiators will be playing their first night game.

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