As the temperature soared to near-triple digits, the Santa Clarita Storm traveled to Glendale to take on the expansion team ARPA FC.

The Storm came into Saturday’s match looking for its first win of the summer after last week’s thrilling draw with Valley United.

The Storm started out by putting ARPA under tremendous pressure and a constant barrage of shots on the opposing keeper. Brett Croft, Leo Ruesch and Andres Zalamea all had great chances within the first 10 minutes, but none could find the back of the net. It was ARPA FC that struck first in the 12th minute when Mher Nazaretyan fired a shot from the edge of the box that beat Storm keeper Osvaldo Valladoid giving the home side an early 1-0 lead.

The surprise goal did not deter the visitors from their task as they continued to pressure the opposition. Despite numerous chances, the Storm just could not break through. Then in the 30th minute Roland Shahnazaryan capitalized on a defensive error and put the home side up 2-0, a lead which they comfortably took to the break.

Similar to last week, Storm manager Oscar Moreno made some changes to the lineup to start the second half. Those fresh legs were beneficial to the team, and in the 65th minute, Croft stole the ball in midfield and, from the wing, made a sweet cross that John Lopez tucked neatly into the net bringing the Storm within one.

The visiting side was now hungry and eager for its second goal and a level score line. Consistently attacking the defense, it appeared they would find their equalizer when Nelson Peraza grabbed the ball on the left, broke into the center and fired a shot that the ARPA FC goalie gathered in.

But the home side reestablished its 2-goal advantage in the 80th minute when Benjamin Silva launched a screamer from 25 yards out that found the upper corner. With just 10 minutes left, the Storm could have easily given in, but the boys stayed aggressive and kept pressing for another goal. It wasn’t until the 88th minute they finally scored on a lofted pass from newly signed defender Dagoberto Gonzalez that found the head of Lopez, who buried the ball for his second goal of the match.

It was too little, too late, however, as the Storm lost a heart breaker 3-2. The team could do nothing but look back on opportunities missed and squandered chances. Soccer sometimes is a cruel game, and today these young men learned that hard lesson.

Moreno will undoubtedly have these boys refocused and ready to compete again this coming Sunday July 31, as the Storm travel to Victorville to take on another expansion franchise, the High Desert Rush.