San Jacinto College comes up short against number-one ranked Georgia Perimeter in national tourney

Rob Vanya - 11/16/2007 San Jacinto College forward Roy Hernandez, left, scored the team’s only goal in the loss to Georgia Perimeter. Forward Ricardo Ximines, right, provided the assist in the goal.

Top-seeded and undefeated Georgia Perimeter defeated fifth-seeded San Jacinto College men’s soccer team 3-1 in second round action of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national tournament, held Nov. 16 in Tyler.

For most of the game San Jacinto College gave the number-one ranked Jaguars a run for their money, but San Jac was hurt by to many missed opportunities.

“We came out flat and did not take advantage of breaks when we had them,” commented Dr. David Santesteban, San Jacinto College’s head soccer coach. “In the first half our defense played well, but made one mistake and Georgia was able to capitalize and score. Even when our guys gave up another goal early in the second half they kept battling and we bounced back and scored a goal, which really gave us a spark. But, soccer is a game of time and tides. Georgia was able to hold us off and the tide began to turn in their favor and they got the third goal, which was the nail in the coffin.”

Santesteban expressed frustration at the team’s inability to mount much of an offensive attack thus far. “So far in the tournament we have not created very many scoring opportunities and it’s disappointing because this is a very offensive-minded team,” he said. San Jacinto College advanced to round two after beating defending national champions Jefferson College 1-0 in the first round of the tournament on Nov. 15.

San Jac’s only goal against Georgia Perimeter (19-0-2 in the regular season) was scored by forward Roy Hernandez, with an assist by forward Ricardo Ximines in the 13th minute of the second half.

San Jacinto College (16-2-1 in the regular season) will next play on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. for a chance to secure third place in the national tournament. No games will be played on Saturday, Nov. 17.

For results of the national tournament, visit www.apacheathletics.com on the Internet.