The Corsairs' Spectacular Home Opener
By Cebelihle Hlatshwayo | Staff Writer
On September 8th, the Santa Monica sunshine threatened to be a formidable opponent, however, neither the blistering rays nor the Los Angeles Harbor College Seahawks were strong enough to stop the Corsairs’ men’s soccer team from securing a landslide 7-1 victory, marking their second win this season.
Facing a critical stage in the season, the Corsairs found themselves in a difficult situation. They had been struggling to score, managing just two goals in their previous three games. Determined to alter the course of their season, the Corsairs stepped onto their home turf with renewed purpose.
With the team facing some early-season struggles, one of the pressing questions going into the game was how the Corsairs would cope. That question was swiftly answered in the first 11 minutes when Philip Hephzibah scored the match’s opening goal. The British Nigerian striker continued to contribute on offense throughout the game, assisting with three of the overall seven goals for the Corsairs.
The Seahawks managed to secure their first and only goal through a free kick from center-forward Mark Zarate late in the first half.
In the second half, the Corsairs were determined to leave their mark by putting the game beyond the Seahawks’ reach with another dazzling goal nine minutes into the second half from center-forward Denilson Garcia. Thirteen minutes before the final whistle, Corsair defender Marcus Hevesy-Rodriguez pushed against the Seahawks and saved a tame attempt before Logan Marc clinched the Corsair’s seventh and final goal of the match.
“The game was really intense, with the players from LA Harbour constantly on me. But mentally, you can’t let that get to you; you just have to pick yourself up and go again,” said Hephzibah.
Hevesy-Rodriguez agreed with Hephzibah about the intensity of the game. “I felt it was a great showcase of our team’s communication and teamwork for the first time this season. The guys hyping each other up throughout the game boosted morale and, I believe, helped us with our win,” he said.
With a strong home opener and boosted morale for the Corsairs’ men’s soccer team, the stage is now set for a promising season ahead.
