Pierre Mattsson converted a free kick in the 21st minute Friday afternoon and the SBCC defense made it stand up for a 1-0 men’s soccer victory at Canyons.
The Vaqueros (10-1-1, 5-0-1), ranked No. 4 in the state and 10th in the nation, took over sole possession of first place in the Western State Conference. Hancock (5-1) lost to Oxnard 3-2 on Tuesday after leading 2-0.
Mattsson, a freshman midfielder from Sweden, bent a 25-yard free kick into the right-hand corner for his fifth game-winning goal of the year. Three of his six goals have come on direct kicks.
“It was a very, very good team performance,” said coach John Sisterson, whose club is 9-0-1 in its last 10 games. “We defended well and competed for every ball.”
The Vaqueros will take on Hancock in a first-place battle on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in La Playa Stadium.
