Albion San Diego got its first win of the regular season in front of the home fans at Canyon Crest Academy Stadium on Sunday, April 10 thanks to a dominating 3-1 victory over NISA rival LA Force.
Albion drew first blood in the sixth minute after forward Kervens Jolicoeur stole the ball from the LA Force defense and found himself inside the box where he beat goalkeeper Brandon Gomez with a left-footed shot for the 1-0 lead.
The home team would take advantage again in the 13th minute thanks to a quick give and go by midfielder Walter Varela who found teammate Mayele Malango streaking into the left side of the box and, after a quick move towards the middle, was able to split the LA Force defenders shooting the ball into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.
Albion dominated the first-half possession and created the best scoring chances throughout the first 45 minutes of play, which was chippy with several fouls called and yellow cards issued on both teams.
The second half opened with the visitors pushing forward in order to cut into the deficit and saw their efforts pay off in the 58th minute when defender Daniel Vicente was called for a penalty kick after the ball hit him in the arm inside the box despite it not being extended. Midfielder Éder Guerrero then took the penalty shot which flew over the crossbar defended by goalkeeper Ben Roach keeping the two-goal lead for San Diego.
Albion would score yet again in the 72nd minute thanks to another breakaway chance this time from Varela who went all the way down the right side with his shot beating the outstretched arm of Gomez. LA Force would score its lone goal in the 88th minute after a header from defender Jonick Pineda was misjudged by Roach with the ball bouncing just off his fingertips.
“They’re motivated, they’re here for a reason, they’re here for the community,” said head coach Ziggy Korytoski. “To get them out here and to get them into November is the goal.”
Albion now takes sole possession of second place with the win in the NISA west division and will next face division leader Valley United FC at home in a rematch of their week one match on April 23.
