SBCC’s Knight finishes one off state-scoring lead

SANTA MARIA — Mark Knight collected a goal and three assists Friday as No. 7 SBCC capped its regular season with a 5-0 men’s soccer victory over Hancock.

The sophomore forward from England finished with 28 goals for the second straight year and led the state in assists with 17. Knight, who topped all California scorers with 61 points last season, ended up with 73 points, one shy of state scoring leader Felipe Gonzalez of Evergreen Valley.

It was the 11th straight win for the WSC champion Vaqueros (18-4, 13-1), who’ve outscored their last five opponents 24-1.

Stuart Kirk opened the scoring in the 14th minute on an assist from Knight. Knight scored in the 23rd minute and Scott Wells made it 3-0 two minutes before halftime. Craig Davies assisted on the second and third goals.

Sophomore defender Luke Chambers made it 4-0 in the 53rd minute and Antonio Bernabe completed the scoring in the 65th minute. Knight assisted on the last two goals.

“The boys were in command the whole game,” said SBCC coach John Sisterson. “We played well and now it’s on to the playoffs.”

SBCC will get a home game in the first round of the Southern Cal Regional on Nov. 22. Thirteen teams make the playoffs, according to the rankings at ccsoccernews.com and the top three get first-round byes.
The Vaqueros are currently ranked No. 4. The pairings will be announced Tuesday.