Carotenuto Scores on Penalty, Oxy Falls to Top Team
THOUSAND OAKS — Alessandro Carotenuto scored the Tigers fifth goal this season in just three halves played on a penalty kick in the 43rd minute against Pacific Lutheran on Sunday.
But his first-half equalizer only kept the game even until about 12 minutes into the second half when Giancarlo Santoro scored the winner for the Lutes (2-0) in a 2-1 victory over the Occidental men's soccer team (1-1) at Cal Lutheran.
Pacific Lutheran has a very good men's soccer program. Over the last three years, the Lutes have gone 27-11-2 and haven't finished lower than fourth in the Northwest Conference since 2002. On Aug. 30, they beat Cal Lutheran 2-0 on the road.
"We played a good team and it was a great learning experience for the men about consistency," Oxy head coach Rod Lafaurie said. "Our quality of passing and team shape weren't good enough today, but that will come together as we get fitter and continue to work together."
Derek Johnson gave PLU a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 26th minute.
Oxy has its home opener on Sept. 7 underneath the lights at 7 p.m. at Jack Kemp Stadium. The Tigers play seven of their nine home games this year on Oxy's synthetic turf field.
"We're excited about next Saturday and having some feature games at night this season," Lafaurie said. "Our players are leaders in the classroom and in the Oxy community, so playing at Jack Kemp is a great way to showcase them… We plan on packing the stands."
