MBFC2 Tops Academica SC in Eight-Goal Thriller

By Elian Corona

SEASIDE, California (Saturday, May 11, 2024) – Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (2-0-0, 6 points) bested Academica SC (0-2-0, 0 points) by a score of 6-2 at Cardinale Stadium. Six goals from MBFC2 provided ample entertainment for fans, as Janos Kömmerling opened the scoring with a curling shot that bounced off the post and in after only four minutes. Ramiro Corrales Jr. showed excellent composure to slot the penalty he won into the bottom-left corner six minutes later, and Willy Miranda capitalized on a loose ball in the area, volleying into the back of the net in the 31st minute to make it 3-0. After Academica SC pulled one back, goalkeeper Jack Landreth found Isaac Lomeli with a long ball over the top, and the midfielder made it four with a composed finish. Academica SC struck first in the second half, but Hugo Vargas killed any chance of a comeback by taking advantage of a poor recovery from the opposition goalkeeper and unleashing a shot from long range in the 62nd minute to make it five. Bryan Lopez capped off the performance with a great finish after latching onto a long ball in the 79th minute.

MBFC piled on the pressure from the first minute, beginning with a half volley struck by Lomelifrom the top of the box. The breakthrough would come in the fourth minute, as a one two between Corrales Jr. and opened space for Kömmerling to curl a shot towards goal that bounced off the back post and into the net. Corrales drove forward into the area after a sequence of passes and was scythed down by an Academica SC defender in the 10th minute, resulting in a penalty kick. He would step up to the spot and calmly slot it into the bottom left corner, doubling MBFC2’s advantage. Lomeli produced a bit of skill on the left flank in the 15th minute and was able to square it into the box, but unfortunately no one was able to capitalize. Alexis Sanchez’s shot from range in the 20th minute was spilled by the keeper and Lorenzo Avalos was able to reach the rebound, but a diving reflex save by the keeper prevented another MBFC2 goal. Just a minute later, a freekick in a dangerous position on the right left the crossbar shaking after a thunderous strike from Vargas. MBFC2 found the third in the 31st minute through Miranda, who latched onto a deflection inside the area and unleashed a first time volley into the back of the net. Academica SC was able to get one back in the 38th minute, curling a shot in from distance. A long punt from Landreth sailed over the Academica SC backline, and Lomeli capitalized by running onto the ball and slotted past the goalkeeper while fighting off a defender in the 42nd minute. 

Kömmerling and Miranda were replaced by Bryan Lopez and Jomar Munaf at halftime. Louie Galdamez prevented Academica SC from pulling within two in the 50th minute, displaying great agility to spin and clear a squared ball in midair. Academica SC would be able to cut the lead in the 56th minute, as some good work on the right side opened space for a cross to the back post, which was headed back across goal and tucked away to make it 4-2. Landreth prevented a third goal a few minutes later by first palming away a corner into the bar and then getting down quickly to turn away a shot off the deflection. Edwin Moreno replaced Francisco Ponce shortly afterwards. In the 62nd minute, the Academica SC goalkeeper charged out of his net to try and deny MBFC2 as they surged forwards, but his clearance only went as far as Lomeli, who passed it forwards to Vargas. Vargas saw the keeper out of the net and shot from range, with his drive sailing in for MBFC2’s fifth goal. Moreno was nearly able to make it six in the 70th minute after a great run into the box, but the angle for his shot was tight and he was unable to convert. Munaf was fouled in a good position in the 75th minute, but Vargas was unable to find a brace as his direct freekick flew over the bar. Bryan Lopez made it six for MBFC2 in the 79th minute, latching onto a long ball from Moreno and finding himself one on one with the goalkeeper, he placed his shot perfectly into the bottom left corner. A triple substitution in the 83rd minute saw Sanchez replaced by Christian Dauphin, Ethan Kelly replaced by Brandon Lopez, and Vargas replaced by Luis Mendoza. Academica SC would hit the post from close range late on, and Bryan Lopez nearly scored his second in the 90th minute after latching onto a long ball from Munaf but his shot flew into the goalkeeper’s chest.

Information

Date: May 11, 2024
Venue: Cardinale Stadium; Seaside, California
Weather: Foggy and 57 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

MBFC2 4 2 6
Academica SC 1 1 2
MB2: Janos Kömmerling (Ramiro Corrales Jr.) 4’
MB2: Ramiro Corrales Jr. (Penalty) 10’
MB2: Willy Miranda 31’
MB2: Isaac Lomeli (Jack Landreth) 42’
MB2: Hugo Vargas-Rios (Isaac Lomeli) 62’
MB2: Bryan Lopez (Edwin Moreno) 79’

Lineup

Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (4-3-3): Jack Landreth; Lorenzo Avalos, Alexis Sanchez (Christian Dauphin), Louie Galdamez, Ramiro Corrales Jr.; Janos Kömmerling (Bryan Lopez), Hugo Vargas-Rios (Luis Mendoza), Isaac Lomeli, Willy Miranda (Jomar Munaf), Ethan Kelly (Brandon Lopez), Francisco Ponce (Edwin Moreno)
Subs not used: Erik Lauta