Mendoza’s Strike Propels Folsom Lake College Falcons Past Cosumnes River Hawks in Hard-Fought Victory

 In a tightly contested matchup, Folsom Lake College's men's soccer team emerged victorious over Cosumnes River College with a 1-0 win. The match, a defensive showdown, remained scoreless until a decisive goal in the second half by Folsom Lake's Octavio Mendoza, assisted by Issac Harrison, secured the Falcons' victory.

The lone goal of the game came in the 66th minute. Harrison delivered a perfectly timed pass to Mendoza, who found a gap in the Hawks' defense and struck a precise shot, slipping the ball past Cosumnes River's keeper, Nicholas Molinari. This goal lifted the Falcons to 9-6-3 overall for the season, reinforcing their competitive standing in conference play.

While scoring chances were limited, the Falcons capitalized on their only shot on goal, demonstrating efficiency and tactical precision. Defensively, Folsom Lake's goalkeeper Fernando Garcia was solid in the net, successfully denying the Hawks' single shot on goal and keeping a clean sheet. The Falcons' defense, led by players such as Jose Armando Castro and Eric Ramirez, effectively neutralized Cosumnes River's offensive efforts, limiting them to just three shots.

Discipline was a crucial factor in the game, with multiple yellow cards issued, especially in the second half. Folsom Lake accumulated four yellow cards in the closing 30 minutes as they protected their lead, highlighting the game's intensity and physicality. The Hawks also saw yellow cards handed to Ezekiel Cruz and Christian Brenes, as frustrations mounted with the clock ticking down.

Cosumnes River attempted to mount pressure late in the game but struggled to break through Folsom Lake's solid defense. Despite four corner kicks, the Hawks couldn't convert their set-piece opportunities, leaving them scoreless.

The victory reflects Folsom Lake's ability to perform under pressure, relying on disciplined defense and clinical finishing when chances arise. As they continue their season, the Falcons will look to carry this momentum forward in their pursuit of postseason success.