Well, we found out a lot about the Vikings in their season opener—they can certainly take the heat, a fact they proved very well in a 6-1 win over College of the Desert Friday.  With a 5 pm kickoff, LBCC was faced with a team who had just tied San Diego City College on Thursday in San Diego 2 -2 after being down 2 -0 at half.  The other obstacle was the mind-melting 113 degree heat at kickoff.  The Vikings provided plenty of heat early with four shots on target in the first two minutes The keeper made the first 3 saves but 6 ft 6 inch sophomore Omar Idrissa Boubakar finished a back post header off an assist from Manny Bautista to open the scoring.

Following the early goal, COD gained a little momentum while LBCC seemed a little too confident.  Freshman GK Luis Romero made several keys plays in the next 20 minutes including stuffing a 1-on-1 in minute 18.  In the 25th minute Bautista scored on a corner kick from Jesse Casteneda.  Bautista added another goal in the run of play on another assist from Casteneda.  Halftime was 3-0.

In the second half COD came out strong and scored on a nice play through the left wing in the third minute.  In minute 60 Idrissa Boubakar finished another headed goal on a nice combination with Ozzie Sepulveda.  There were some anxious moments for the coaching staff at LBCC when substitute Irvin Melgar was given a straight red for an elbow to the head of a COD player.  But even at 10 v 11 LBCC added a goal 2 minutes later when freshman Jesus Corrales scored on an assist from Robert Tapia.  Sebastion Beingolea finished off COD with a goal in the 76 minute from Albert Jimenez. 

LBCC finished with 27 shots and 17 on target.  The COD GK had 11 saves, several on point blank shots that could have made the score line all the more impressive. Sophomore defenders Juan Guzman and Ritchie Ponce were solid in the back and helped keep COD from getting more than their lone goal.  Luis Romero in goal for LBCC faced 10 shots and had to make just 4 saves – the crucial one early helped keep COD from gaining any confidence.

LBCC hosts the Second Annual LB CUP next Fri and Sunday with games against Santiago Canyon and Cuyamaca. 

Thanks to Vikes co-head coach Pat Noyes for the great info!