OC Offense Puts Six In the Net
For a third consecutive game to open up 2025, the OCSC II team held a clean sheet. But the real story of the match was the second half explosion on offense that saw OC score five goals in the second half and walk away with a 6-0 win over Capo FC at Irvine Valley College on Wednesday afternoon.
It was technically the second away game of the year for the II team who are coming off of a 2-0 win in their last game two weeks ago. This was however the first time playing fellow Orange County side Capo FC in program history and it was a memorable one at that. Orange County II’s biggest names put on a grand display and we will see just how it happened.
FIRST HALF
To start things off, OCSC II reverted back to a traditional 4-3-3 like they had done in their opening draw against AMSG FC back in late May. Likewise there were a number of changes from the last game with the return of Kadono, Barjolo, Miles, Guimaraes and Kowarik all being plugged in. They would face off against a Capo FC Academy side who were playing in their first match of 2025.
The difference in quality would be apparent with most of the first 10 minutes of the match being OCSC holding the ball with Capo keen on staying in formation rather than applying a high press. In saying this, it was really not an eventful first 45 with the only offense being generated by Orange County. Benjamin Barjolo would get the offense going by both drawing a penalty as well as converting from the spot for his first of the season. The penalty came as a result of quality build-up play from the midfield and Barjolo got fouled from behind.
Goalkeeper Tetsuya did not need to make any saves in the first half but his distribution of the ball was good and he nearly saw himself get an assist but Kone’s shot hit the post in the 32nd minute of the match. Barjolo would register another shot on target two minutes later that did force a save but that would be it for the first half. Orange County II entered the break with a 1-0 lead and were not threatened that much.
SECOND HALF
Capo FC began the second half by beginning to expand their shape in an effort to claw their way back into the game. This would ultimately come back to bite them as the Orange County midfield with much more space began to facilitate the offense quite well. In the 48th minute, Cheick Mohamed Kone would receive a Oliver Kurnik through ball and would nicely finish to double the OC II lead. The goal was quite nice and it deserved an encore as in the 62nd minute, Kone would receive another Kurnik pass and again finish to the far post for his second of the match giving OC II a 3-0 lead.
Orange County II began their first substitutions of the match with notable players coming on like Ben Norris and Jaden Lewis. Norris has spent time with the senior team and was making his 2025 debut. The offense kept churning with generating goals off of team play rather than individual efforts. In the 71st minute, Michael Zill would find himself on the end line and put in a centering pass to Barjolo who slotted away his second of the match. The aforementioned Ben Norris would get his first of 2025 getting on the end of a good cross in from fellow substitute Yasser Mallisho in the 83rd minute to pad the lead now at 5-0.
The OC backline and goalkeeper really were not pressured in the slightest even with Capo FC beginning to push more individuals forward. Kadono would have to make one save in the 78th minute on a shot that was right at him but that was really it. A couple of gathers here and there was really the day for him and the defense. Jaden Lewis would get the 6th goal on the day with a really weird goal that saw him dribble the entirety of the offensive half with no pressure and slot it away for his first on the season. The match would end with no added time at 6-0. OC II’s second consecutive win of the season and third straight unbeaten.
OVERVIEW
There was a player who I did mention briefly that was the unsung hero of the match. Ashton Miles was on the end of every single Capo FC cross and made a good number of timely tackles and clearances. It was quite clear that Miles is a senior team player by trait and really was the driving factor behind the clean sheet. Nicola Ciotta also did well as a wing back on the right side.
This was a statement win for OC II who are beginning to look like the team to beat in the Southwest Division of the USL A league. They have now registered three consecutive clean sheets and have improved their goal differential to +8 on the season. But what is the most encouraging observation is that it is not just one player stealing the show. Both Kone and Barjolo had braces with Oliver Kurnik bagging the braces and the backline has done well to limit chances on net. This game did not even have first teamers War or Gavin Karam.
OCSC II will continue their season on the road next Wednesday with a rare morning game as they travel to Westminster and face off against AMSG FC for the away leg.