Gladiators triumph over Comets in 3-0 shutout

Despite a good defensive effort in the first half, the men’s soccer team failed to put a goal on the scoreboard as Contra Costa College was shut out 3-0 at home against Chabot College on Friday.

Trailing 1-0 in the second half, CCC defender Carlos Lozano received a red card and was ejected from the game forcing the squad to play with 10 players for the rest of the half.

“I thought we played a good game, however, that red card was key to us losing the game,” Comet coach Rudy Zeller said. “(Chabot) took advantage of (the ejection).”

The Comets were also shut out 2-0 by Modesto Junior College (4-1-1) on Sept. 11. CCC will go on the road to play Butte College (0-1) this Friday at 4 p.m.

Due to Lozano’s ejection, Zeller was forced to play the rest of the game with only three defenders.

He said that he was trying to create better scoring opportunities for his Comet squad as he felt that the team played better as a 10-player squad.

“We were playing with only three defenders, so I took a chance and that created more scoring opportunities. Unfortunately we didn’t get them,” Zeller said. “I feel like we played well with 10 players.”

The Comets managed only 10 shots on goals compared to the Gladiators’ 15.

Solid defense from both teams kept the game scoreless in the first half.

Chabot midfielder Geraldo Zendejas was able to score two consecutive goals in the second half.

Gladiator midfielder Elliot Petersen added the final goal in the 88th minute of the second half, which sealed the win for Chabot.

The Comets were outnumbered on the field for the reminder of the second half being down one man, but bad passing caused the team to miss opportunities to score.

CCC midfielder Griffin Piper said the team needs to improve on converting short passes in order to make space for scoring opportunities.

“It’s difficult to play when you are outnumbered by your opponent,” Piper said.

“We need communicate with each other more and get to the (opponent’s) goal faster,” Comet striker Omar Arellano said.

Zeller and players agreed that they want to improve on all aspects of their game as they have talented players, however, the lack of chemistry and communication hurts the squad.

“We need to keep working until we get our chemistry together,” Arellano said.

Comet defender Gurjeet Singh said that the small roster size is due to players being unable to play because they are either ineligible or injured.

“(Because of our lack of players) we need to work harder then ever before,” Singh said.

The Comets open Bay Valley Conference play against Napa Valley  Tuesday at 5 p.m. on the soccer field.