The Undefeated Run
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair men’s soccer team began their 2024 Western State Conference season on October 18, where they faced Citrus College, which jumpstarted their triumphant conference run.
In 2023, SMC Corsair men’s soccer team had an overall Western State Conference (WSC) record of (9-0-1), almost having a perfect win record. Although still going undefeated, SMC fell short one win after their 2-2 tie against Oxnard, who had an undefeated run the previous year with a record of (10-0).
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Corsairs played their first home conference match at the Corsair Field against the Marauders from Antelope Valley, coming out on top with a 1-0. With two victories, the men’s soccer team had a 2-0 lead in conference and at the time were second in the WSC table Southern Division.
In the first half against the Marauders, Corsairs’ forward Jay’ce Jones scored the only goal of the game with an assist from midfielder Adrian Garcia in the twentieth minute. With several shots attempted above the crossbar, the Corsairs were unable to find the net in the second half.
The team continued conference play with a match against the Bakersfield College Renegades on Oct. 25 who were first in WSC at the time. In an intense game of defense coming from the Corsairs side, the Corsairs came out on top with a score of 1-0. The only goal coming from Corsairs’ forward Philip Hephzibah, who currently leads the WSC in assists and second overall in goals, points, and shots. After the match, the Corsairs were able to move up to first place in conference standings.
The Corsairs continued dominating their conference games. They were getting wins against the College of the Canyons, Glendale, Citrus and Antelope Valley. Their win against Glendale on Sunday, Nov. 10, officially named the Corsairs Western State Conference -South Conference Champions.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Renegades, who are second in the WSC standings, faced off the Corsairs for the second time after being dethroned early in the conference. Although no chance of stripping the champion title from SMC, the Renegades fought hard to disrupt their win streak.
In the first half of their match, both sides fought hard with the Renegades playing slightly more dominant, however were unable to get past against the Corsairs defense. Later in the twentieth minute, the Corsairs were able to break through after being awarded a penalty which was taken by Corsairs’ forward Javier Mendoza and getting the lead 1-0.
However, having the lead, tragedy struck when the Corsairs were faced with another chance not too long after the goal when they were awarded a free kick. When the ball was centered, Corsair midfielder Josh McCowan ran to keep the ball in play where he was seen jumping for the ball but unfortunately was injured during the landing. McCowan was subbed off immediately after.
In the thirtieth minute, Mendoza found the back of the net once again to extend their lead. Later on in the second half, where the Renegades continued to fight, still looking for their opportunity to turn the table, Corsair forward Danny Spindler extended their lead once again making the score 3-0.
SMC ended the match victorious with a final score of 3-0 against the Renegades. With one game left in conference against College of the Canyons and a record of (9-0), the Corsairs were faced with almost achieving the perfect undefeated conference run.
On Friday night, Nov. 15, the Corsairs came out as winners with a score of 4-1 against the Cougars from College of the Canyons with goals scored by SMC Philip Hephzibah, Justin Martinez and two from Javier Mendoza.
“I feel like we worked really hard together, we went undefeated 10-0,” said Corsairs’ captain Philip Hephzibah, on the team working together during conference play. “Of course there’s games where we get frustrated with each other but that’s what comes to the locker room talks, we have to calm down, compose ourselves and recuperate…teamwork-wise, I think we really worked, built up the season to get to where we are right now…”
The Corsairs ended their conference run with a total of 27 goals, with the top offensive players Javier Mendoza, Philip Hephzibah, and Gabe Mejia sharing the top three positions in the WSC individual leaders for goals, assists, and points.
“The conference title is what you’re playing for in that portion of the season and you always want to win some sort of trophies, and being able to accomplish that was a team goal of ours…” said head coach Tim Pierce, in regards to securing the conference title and moving to playoffs with a bye. “...there was an added exclamation point on that, given that we’re 10-0…you get rewarded with a high seed in the top 8 teams in the power point system; we get a home game and a bye, so that’s a big advantage too.”
“I think it’s a real big thing because we went back-to-back last season and doing it this season, and a lot of us need that rest,” said Hephzibah. “...going against these teams is very difficult…so this bye week is really going to give us time to rejuvenate, you know rest, stretch, and just be ready mentally and physically for Saturday.”
With a conference record of (10-0-0) and an overall record of (17-2-3), the Corsairsended their conference run undefeated and are officially back to back WSC-Southern Division Champs. The Corsairs have earned a bye for playoffs, moving them to the second round, and will face Cuyamaca College after they defeated Palomar College 2-1 in the first round.