MBFC2 Grabs 3-1 Road Win Over Davis Legacy SC for Third Consecutive Victory to Start the Season
by Eli Corona
DAVIS, California (Wednesday, May 17, 2023) – Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (3-0-0, 9 points) defeated Davis Legacy SC (0-2-0, 0 points) 3-1 at the Davis Legacy Soccer Complex in Davis. An early goal from Kamren Bolden put MBFC2 ahead at the break, while Miguel Guerrero added his name to the scoresheet in the second half with a composed finish. After Legacy SC converted a penalty to cut the lead in half late, Willy Miranda put the game beyond reach with a stoppage time finish.
Monterey Bay F.C. 2 took control of the game right away with Miranda seeing an early attempt deflected wide in the 7th minute. The ensuing corner allowed Bolden to convert from close range, heading home a brilliant cross from Hugo Vargas to open the scoring at 1-0. Los Dos would continue to threaten early, and another cross from Vargas in the 9th minute found Guerrero in space at the back post, but his shot was low and collected by the Davis Legacy SC goalkeeper. In the 17th minute, Jose Madrigal did well to get past his marker on the right flank and was unfortunate to see his cutback cleared by the defender. The dribbling abilities of the Los Dos attack proved difficult for Legacy SC, as less than five minutes later, Ramiro Corrales Jr. beat his man on the right flank, but also saw his pass into the box cleared. Davis Legacy would try their luck at the same tactic, but a 23rd minute low cross into the box was acrobatically tipped aside by MBFC2 goalkeeper Erik Lauta, allowing Corrales Jr. to clear the danger. A minute later, Madrigal was played through into space on the right, once again beating his man and this time electing to shoot, forcing the goalkeeper into another save. The resulting corner saw Gilbert Velez receive short, and swing in a pinpoint cross to Alexis Sanchez, who headed just wide at the far post.
Davis Legacy began to grow into the game and had their first good chance in the 31st minute, sending a header inside the penalty box just wide of the left post. Madrigal would fashion yet another chance five minutes after that, skillfully flicking the ball into space with his head. Miranda was nearly able to latch onto the pass, with the goalkeeper forced off his line to collect the ball. Madrigal would once again be thwarted just a minute later, seeing his curling shot from the edge of the area well saved. The MBFC2 defense continued to hold strong, with Sanchez notably intercepting a cutback in the 42nd minute to deny a chance. Los Dos would have a final opportunity with three minutes until halftime with a free kick on the edge of the 18. Guerrero’s shot was destined for the top right corner, but saw his attempt deflect off the wall and fly just wide, sending MBFC2 into the halftime break with the slight edge.
The second half got off to a slower start. A corner in the 55th minute saw Francisco Ponce head just over the bar as MBFC2 looked to grab another goal. Elias Bouhaja would replace Madrigal in the 62nd minute, and eight minutes later Los Dos would grab their second. An attempted through ball for Guerrero was deflected into space in front of the net, and the number five latched onto the ball and coolly finished into the back of the net for his third goal in two games to bring the match to 2-0. He would be unlucky not to bag another just three minutes later, as he saw his close-range effort rattle the crossbar. The 78th minute saw Sanchez penalized for a shove in the box with a penalty, resulting in Legacy SC cutting their deficit in half to 2-1. The spot kick was hit low and hard by Legacy SC, and Lauta was unlucky not to save it, guessing the right way but seeing the ball sneak under his leg. Guerrero would then be issued a yellow card in the 88th minute for a sliding challenge as MBFC2 looked to defend their one goal lead.
The game would be sealed in the 93rd minute of the match, as pressure from Davis Legacy exposed their backline in a three versus one situation, which saw Miranda capitalize to extend the visitors’ lead to 3-1. The forward was played into space and made the most of his chance, finishing into the left side of the net. The last-minute goal capped off a hard-fought victory in MBFC2’s first away fixture. Los Dos will now look to remain unbeaten against San Francisco Glens SC on Sunday at Cardinale Stadium.
Match: Monterey Bay F.C. 2 vs Davis Legacy SC
Date: May 17, 2023
Venue: Davis Legacy Soccer Complex; Davis, California
Weather: Sunny and 84 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Monterey Bay F.C. 2 1 2 3
Davis Legacy SC 0 1 1
MB2: Kameron Bolden (Vargas) 7’
MB2: Miguel Guerrero 70’
DAV: Penalty Kick 78’
MB2: Willy Miranda 90+3’
