MEN'S SOCCER FALLS TO LA MISSION, 4-2

SANTA MARIA-- The Allan Hancock College men's soccer team dropped its second-straight Western State Conference match in a 4-2 decision to visiting L.A. Mission College on the campus field.

The defending conference-champion Bulldogs (3-3-1, 0-2-1 WSC) fell behind 2-0 in the 30th minute of play, staged a valiant second-half rally but came up short. Sophomore forward John Mooney (Atascadero) took an assisting pass from freshman brother Chris to score AHC's first goal in the 31st minute and pull the Bulldogs to within 2-1 at the half.

But Mission ran the margin to 3-1 in the 65th minute with a short header into an unprotected Hancock goal. Mooney showed some nifth footwork on a 360-move to score off a pass from Michael Zuniga in the 69th minute, reducing the deficit to 3-2. With approximately seven minutes to play, Hancock missed a golden opportunity when a close-range shot sailed over the cross -bar. Mission settled the issue with an attacking rush and score in the 88th minute.

"The team played hard and our individual players did well today," noted AHC Coach Al Garcia. "we just needed a little luck. We're going to be OK."

The Bulldogs will attempt to break a string of two losses and a tie on Tuesday, when they host another rugged WSC foe, Moorpark, beginning at 2:00 p.m. on the campus field. The match will be immediately followed by a women's contest between AHC and College of the Canyons.