USL Orange County SC

Another Ben Mines Goal Gives OCSC 1-0 Win against Oakland

Published on October 17, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


Orange County SC put together a gritty performance on the road in their 1-0 win against Oakland Roots SC at Laney College Football Stadium on Saturday, October 16. The result brings OCSC closer and closer to a playoff berth.

Interim head coach Richard Chaplow made some changes to the starting lineup as OCSC played their second of four games in a stretch of 14 days. Defender Nate Smith and midfielder Mikko Kuningas started after appearing as substitutes in OCSC's midweek victory against Phoenix Rising FC.

With the ball moving fast on Oakland's interesting turf field, OC applied pressure early and were rewarded with a penalty kick after midfielder Ben Mines drew a foul in the area. Midfielder Dillon Powers powered the spot kick past the Oakland goalkeeper. As OCSC celebrated, the penalty kick goal was disallowed due to encroachment. The try was redone and Oakland goalkeeper Paul Blanchette saved it, keeping the score level in the 23'.

A couple of minutes later in the 28', OCSC forward Ronaldo Damus had the ball up field and crossed it through the six yard box where Mines scored the game's first goal with his right foot. It was Mines's third goal in three consecutive games. The first half ended 1-0 in favor of OCSC.

In the second half, Oakland found themselves a man down after Jose Hernandez was shown a red card for an unnecessary foul on Kuningas. OCSC took advantage of the extra attacker by constantly looking to score an insurance goal.

The chances on goal for OCSC were there, but the woodwork kept Oakland within a goal of equalizing. Oakland did press on despite the red card and had promising build ups with nothing to show for as they did not register a shot on goal the whole game.

The closest that Oakland got to scoring was off goalkeeper Blanchette's header from a corner kick, but OCSC defender Brent Richards was there to clear the ball away from the goal. That save put OCSC in the clear and secured the three points in a 1-0 victory.

OCSC maintained their perfect record against Oakland all time at 4-0-0 and only allowed one goal.

OCSC returns home to Irvine for the final two home games of the USL Championship regular season next week. On Wednesday, October 20, the boys in Black and Orange will host San Diego Loyal SC on the last Dollar Beers & Cheap Eats night. On Saturday, October 23, OCSC wraps the home schedule with a match against Las Vegas Lights FC on Scotoberfest, an OCSC and Scottish festival. Both games are at 7pm at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine.

Check out the Orange County SC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 17, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central