Brett Croft

The summer season hasn’t gone quite like the Santa Clarita Storm had hoped. A derby day draw on the opening weekend followed by a loss last week has left a bitter taste in the team’s mouth. Sunday was a chance for the boys to right the ship and collect their first win of the season.

On a scorching, windy evening that saw gusts up to 35 mph, the Storm traveled to Victorville to take on newcomers, the High Desert Rush. It was clear from the opening whistle that the boys were hungry and eager to earn all 3 points. They came out on the front foot attacking the home net, while remaining very well organized at the back. In the third minute veteran defender Nick Rowin found midfielder Nelson Peraza who fired a shot that the wind carried just wide of the goal. John Lopez and Brett Croft were also involved early as they had been in the previous two matches.

Finally, the Storm were able to capitalize on their possession in the 32nd minute as Croft belted a pass from his own defensive area all the way to the opponents 18 yard box. Lopez was waiting as the perfectly weighted pass landed right at his feet. He turned and fired it into the back of the net. The visitors were up 1-0 and it would stay that way heading into the break.

Oscar Sanchez

The second half began very similarly with the Storm controlling much of the ball. The home side, Rush, were able to counter a couple times only to be thwarted by a very well balanced defensive unit. In the 56th minute Lopez nearly made it 2-0 as he rocketed a shot just off the cross bar. Three minutes later Croft delivered a cross off of a set piece that found Francisco Perez right on the doorstep. He neatly placed it past the keeper and gave the visiting side a 2-0 lead.

The home side did not quit and just six minutes later they a goal back as Victor Paiafox found a hole in the Storm defense to put the Rush on the board. That score line didn’t last long. Moments later, Oscar Sanchez found Lopez, who gathered in the ball and finished cleanly for his second goal of the match. The Storm were up 3-1 and well on the way to their first win of the summer season.

It was a great victory for the boys who evened their record at 1-1-1 with 4 points heading into next weekend’s match-up. The Storm return to the friendly home of Masters College to battle the SFV Scorpions on Sunday August 7 at 5 pm.