Team shifts in second half, grabs 3-1 victory

Second half adjustments enabled the Comets to earn a decisive 3-1 victory over the Merritt College men's soccer team Friday at the soccer field.

After the first half Contra Costa College (5-9 overall, 4-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) and Merritt College (6-6-2 overall, 2-3-1 in the Bay Valley Conference) were tied at 1-1.

In the second half the Comets took the lead and expanded it.

"If (the team) can commit to our game for 90 minutes we'll be good," coach Rudy Zeller said. "Today we did good enough in the second half to win the game.

Comet midfielder Adan Martinez led the team with his intensity, defense and dribbling skill. The freshman also scored a goal in the game's 75th minute to put the Comets up by one point.

Martinez said he was overconfident when they played Merritt College on Sept. 27, a game the team lost 3-2.

"This game, I felt I had a lot of courage. I felt we could do better so I played hard and the team fed off of me," he said.

Aside from the Firebirds' lone goal, a shot by forward Prince Bere at the 35 minute mark, the Comet defense was stout and held MC to eight total shots on goal compared to CCC's 14.

Defender Jamal Alzanbaai was instrumental in keeping the ball out of the control of Bere and keeping MC out of scoring position.

"I knew if (Bere) was able to come at me face to face then he would run past me," Alzanbaai said. "I just tried my best to stay on him and play him close to frustrate him and it worked."

The victory was the team's second consecutive win in the BVC. Their previous game was against College of Marin on Oct. 11.

"Everyone played (well)," Alzanbaai said. "It was an all around performance, probably one of the best games we've played in the conference."

The final goal of the game was a kick from striker Aleksandar Kostadinov in the game's 85th minute that found its mark in the right side of the goal's net.

Kostadinov said, "Our other forward dropped back, I followed the attack and I was in the right position. I got a pass from (Omar Arellano) and I took a shot."

The win over MC solidified the men's soccer team at second place in the BVC. The Comets next game is Friday at Yuba College.

Zeller said the success of the team depends on how well it plays its style of soccer.

 "I really like this group. We have no depth and they're not very talented, but they play hard and they're learning a system that fits them very well," Zeller said.

Martinez said, "We knew we could do it. We play motivated, we play as a team and we have a lot of heart to make up for what we lack in skill."