April 22, 2019 - Santa Barbara (Calif.) - Alta California Sol (9-0-1) stunned everyone on Saturday making an emphatic comeback after being down 3-1 to defeat Red Sharks FC (4-1-2) 4-3.

 

"We mad a few mistakes and Red Sharks FC was able to capitalize. In the last 20 minutes, our guys showed a lot of heart and determination. This led to us finding 3 goals to complete the comeback. We showed that we want to win the league. We also know that our last 3 games will be very difficult because we continue to be the team to beat," Alta California Sol Head Coach Arturo Dorantes said.

 

The comeback came to full fruition thanks to Nana Akyen who scored the late equalizer in the 85th and the game winner in the 87th minute.

 

Alta California Sol got on the score sheet first in the 18th minute, scoring off a costly Red Sharks turnover capped off by Oscar Perez who managed to blow by the defender and slot the ball into the back of the net.

 

Red Sharks FC responded when Brandon Molina scored off a header on a well placed free kick in the 33rd minute. Red Sharks would carry their momentum into the second half. Just four minutes into the second, a goal kick reached the halfway line which was headed towards Kevin Flores who caught the keeper off his line and scored a spectacular goal from 40 yards out. Red Sharks FC would expand their lead two minutes later after Daniel Villegas converted a penalty kick that was just out of the goalkeeper’s reach.

 

Alta California Sol began to turn the game around in the 73rd minute with their second goal. Ivan Luna connected on a header from a corner to shorten the deficit.

 

In the 85th minute, a long pass made its way into the outskirts of the penalty area, which drew the keeper out of the net. Nana Akyen beat the keeper to the ball and lobbed the ball over him to get the game level. Two minutes later, a throw-in turned cross was headed by a Red Shark defender in an effort to clear the ball. Unfortunately, it fell graciously to Akyen who volleyed it first time and ricocheted off a Red Shark defender before making its way past the goalkeeper.

 

Alta California Sol travels to play FC Lobos next, while Red Sharks FC expect a tough match against USA Soccer Stars, currenlty second in the UPSL Championship SoCal North Division.

NOTE: The UPSL Game of the Week is selected from teams meeting stream requirements using mycujoo.tv. For more information contact UPSL Media Director Hoang Nguyen at hoang@upslsoccer.com