Chachi paces 3-1 Vaquero victory
He gets a goal and two assists vs. Citrus

By Dave Loveton, Sports Information

Kian Chachi was involved in all three SBCC goals on Tuesday afternoon as the Vaqueros overcame an early deficit to beat Citrus 3-1 in a WSC men's soccer match at La Playa Stadium.

The freshman midfielder had a goal and two assists for the third-place Vaqueros, who improved to 9-6-3 and 7-4-3. SBCC is 6-1-2 in its last nine games and has scored 23 goals during that span.

Pedro Felix gave the Owls a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute. Chijioke Aranotu took a through ball from Chachi in the 15th minute and beat the keeper for his third goal in two games.

SBCC took a 2-1 lead in the 36th minute when Chachi's shot was blocked by the keeper and bounced right to Ellis Mavers, who cashed in a left-footed shot from 12 yards away.

Justin Saul set up the third goal with a quick free kick to the left side of the pitch. Mavers dribbled about 15 yards, then hit a perfect cross to Chachi, who blasted in a 17-yard shot.

Chachi eluded the goalie in the 73rd minute but his slow roller from 28 yards caromed back off the left post.

"We started off a little slow today and I don't know why," said Chachi, who's scored six goals in the last six games. "We didn't play as well as we should have but we still got the result."

Chachi has a team-high eight goals and holds a slim 19-16 lead over Aranotu in the race for individual scoring honors.

"We all play well together. The more we pass the ball, the more we share the ball. It doesn't matter who scores the goals -- me, ChiJi (Aranotu) or Sammba (Sowe) or whoever. As long as the team scores, that's all that matters to me."

Citrus (4-9-4, 3-7-3) outshot the Vaqueros 13-11 but SBCC led in shots on goal, 6-5.

"We were pleased with the result but not entirely happy with the way we played," said sixth-year head coach John Sisterson. "We can move the ball around better but you take every win as it comes."

The Vaqueros play their final home game on Thursday against Santa Monica at 7 p.m.