Story by Aaron Turner/ Photo by Eric Sun
Just three games into the 2019 season, the Rams men's soccer team have yet to suffer a defeat. They also have just one victory.
Following a dominating 5-1 home victory against Contra Costa on August 30 to open the season, CCSF (1-0-2) had to settle for a pair of ties in Mendocino during an early season JUCO showcase this past weekend. Up 2-1 late in their first game against Bakersfield College Friday afternoon, City allowed a game-tying goal in the 93rd minute, with just 30 seconds left in extra time. The Rams were able to mount a comeback of their own on Sunday, however, as they forced a 1-1 against host Mendocino College with a brilliant unassisted goal by center midfielder Gabriel Arias.
As the Rams look ahead to a Friday matchup at Napa Valley College, longtime head coach Adam Lucarelli is encouraged by what he's seen from his squad so far. For him and his coaching staff, getting first year players to elevate their game as quickly as possible will be key to their long-term success.
"We just need to get them to buy in a little more," Lucarelli said Monday afternoon. "Once these first year guys really buy in and get truly comfortable playing at this level, it'll be fun to see what this team can really do."
Despite some perceived growing pains very early on this season, Lucarelli seems excited by some of the individual play he's witnessed so far, particularly from the man responsible for keeping the Rams out of the loss column on Sunday.
"Gabriel (Arias) had a beautiful goal to tie the game against Mendocino, and he has really done a great job so far holding everything together on the field and really being a leader," Lucarelli said. "He's really an anchor for this team when he's on the field."