Men’s soccer KO’d by Fighting Artichokes
Stephen Peck
Mesa Legend
MCC Thunderbirds Enter the Ring against Fighting Artichokes Mesa Community College (MCC) Men’s Soccer traveled to face the Fighting Artichokes of Scottsdale Community College (SCC) with a win in their pocket. The men are coming off a 3-0 win against Gateway Community College where the Gecko’s were a man down after the sixth minute. They are 1-1 after tonight’s game.
The Fighting Artichokes took an early lead and never looked back. The Thunderbirds were unfortunate not to score the equalizer when the stat sheet showed they had a clear advantage in every category. Brian Ronan said, “It was frustrating, very frustrating…they scored the game winner.”The Thunderbirds starting lineup was, Joshua Stewart, 1, Hunter Wellcome, 2, Christian Robledo, 7, Ivan Medina, 8, Aaron Coloma, 11, Kevin Olivarez, 12, Zach Hellman, 14, Connor Glennen, 15, Alexei Oulton, 22, Travis Hatfield, 23, and Ghanen Lilly-Nolan The first 24 minutes were both teams running up and down the pitch, looking to take the lead. Unfortunately for the Thunderbirds, the Artichokes capitalized.
Brendon Long received an assist from teammate Edwin Lopez inside the 6-yard box to put away the only goal of the game. The second half is when things heated up and both teams intensified the physicality. A yellow card was handed out at the 65 minute of the game to SCC Forward Slobodan Kajtaz. Less than two minutes later, Defender J.J. Nash received a yellow card, the second for the Artichokes.
MCC’s Christian Robledo received a yellow card in the 87 minute. This was his second yellow in the first two games of the season. If he receives one in the upcoming game against the Bears he will be ineligible to play for a period of time. FIFA suspends players for a game after receiving two yellow cards in two consecutive matches, according to the 2011 FIFA Laws of the Game 20156/2016.
According to Ronan, this was his first loss at the helm to the Fighting Artichokes
They have had a tough start to their season, as the first two games have been on the road.
Their next game is also on the road against the Bears of Phoenix College at 7 p.m.
For more information consult the athletic web page at http://mesatbirdsports.com for future Thunderbird dates and times, or come to journalism department and pick up the last edition of the Mesa Legend.
