San Diego Mustangs Defeat SOC Raptors in Key SoCal Matchup
San Diego Mustangs Defeat SOC Raptors in Key SoCal Matchup
The San Diego Mustangs defeated the SOC Raptors 31-14 in Southern California action.
Led by another massive game from lock Dylan Fortune, the Mustangs improved to 3-1 in Southern California league play, while the Raptors dropped to 2-2. Both sides have lost to Belmont Shore, who have started the season 3-0 and had no league game this week because they were attending the Tropical 7s.
The Mustangs took an early lead, capitalizing on some Raptors penalties to set up wing Ryan Velanzano to go in at the corner.
Well aware they couldn't take any time off against the Mustangs, the Raptors replied. They had already seen an apparently try from Jacob Bower called back for a fend to the face, but more importantly they needed to avoid doing things like running out of their own 22.
With the wind behind the Raptors' backs, they started to play the territory game, and were rewarded with a converted try by Michael McGettigan to take a 7-5 lead. The Raptors controlled possession, and territory with the wind behind them in the first half, but could not convert that into points. Another mistake late in the half gave the Mustangs an opportunity and No. 8 Evan Doan powered through from 20 meters to make it 10-7 at the break.
After halftime it was the Mustangs with the wind and the Raptors with the ball. SOC capped an impressive period of play with a converted try by Nate Riley to take a 14-10 lead. But the Mustangs replied just as the Raptors lost flyhalf Keean Hannon. That was a tough blow for SOC. Meanwhile the Mustangs pack started to exert some control and with the wind and Raptor penalties helping, scored to put San Diego back in front 17-14.
Good kicking from flyhalf Jonty Lee, and some hard running gave the Mustangs another score to take the score, with Fortune charging over to make it 24-14. With Lee's boot controlling field position, the Raptors were in trouble and they had to force the issue to get back into scoring position. That they did for a while, but then an interception put one more on the board for the Mustangs to finish it 31-14.
"They punched us in the mouth for the first 20 minutes," said San Diego Head Coach Ramond Samaniego. "Our boys responded in kind. It was great to see them step up."
For the Raptors McGettigan at flanker along with Jack de Mora and Jacob Bower had strong performances. The Mustangs were led by Fortune and Lee.
"Ethan, Ramon, and Matty always have a team well prepared," said Raptors Head Coach Sam McMillan. "They had some top quality players out with injury as well. They played to the conditions and their strengths and were the better team on the day. South OC Raptors will need to learn fast against these top teams, to play territory, and take every opportunity to score, which we are not."
