Contreras with 2 goals and 2 assist in Lemoores first game of 2016

In beautiful Lake Tahoe, CA the West Hills College of Lemoore Golden Eagles started their 2016 season and it was off to a fast start. Mendocino was Lemoore's opener and it didn't take long for outside midfielder Fellipe Oliveira to make some noise getting taken down in the 8th minute inside the penalty box. Fellipe stepped up to take the penalty kick but the Mendocino keeper was up to the task and made a great read and save denying the Lemoore freshman his first goal of his college career. Mendocino used the energy from the keepers save to push forward and gave Lemoore some trouble in the 10 mins that followed ultimately scoring an incredible strike from 22 yards out in the 15th min. 

It was just 72 seconds later sophomore Salvador "Chava" Contreras found himself with the ball on top of the 18 yard box and was able to deftly find the bottom corner just past the outstretched arms of the Mendocino keeper. Five minutes later Chava found the only other sophomore for Lemoore, Alex Zarate on a Corner kick that started from Fellipe Oliveira. Alex jumped higher than the group gathered at the far post and forcefully found the back of the net. Chava continued to be a force for Lemoore getting his second goal after stealing a ball off the Mendocino defender he beat the keeper with a quick dribble and shot to the far post.

3-1 at the half and Mendocino came out with renewed energy but when the Mendocino goalkeeper gave a soft past to one of his defenders it was Lemoore's Victor Ayon who put pressure and ultimately had the defenders clearance deflect off of his outstreatched leg and over the keepers head giving Lemoore a 4-1 lead. Lemoore would get two more goals, one in the 50th and another in the 53rd minute. Jessie Castillo scored a great half volley that floated over the keeper and Ayon got his second goal of the day from a well timed pass from Chava who tallied his 2nd assist. 

It will be a tough turn around with Lemoore playing Lassen College just 15 hours after the win over Mendocino but tonight Lemoore celebrates their first win.