Iman Fardghassemi scored twice for Cate on Friday in the Rams’ 3-1 victory over Santa Paula.
Geoffrey Acheampong recorded a goal and an assist as the Rams won their fifth-straight Tri-Valley League game. Their last loss was a 3-1 setback to Santa Paula.
The Cardinals, ranked No. 10 in CIF Division 4, took the game’s first lead with a goal in the eighth minute.
Rams head coach Peter Mack said Santa Paula’s strike seemed to light a fire under his team. Cate scored five minutes later to tie the game. After another five minutes had passed, Cate went up 2-1 when Fardghassemi got his second goal.
Acheampong’s goal came in the 38th minute, a left-footed laser from the top of the box.
Mack credited centerback Patty Thomas and Joel Serugo for keeping the Rams in front during the second half by keeping most threats away from keeper Keller Mochel.
“This was a great win for us, not just because we beat a very good team, but also because of the manner with which we did it,” Mack reported. “To go down 0-1 early and then score three unanswered goals – and a leave a handful of goals on the table – says a lot about our resilience.”
Cate improves to 8-2-1 overall and 5-1 in league. Next up is Malibu on Wednesday.
