Freshman Ebubechukwu Ekpemogu scored twice to help lead the No. 1 state-ranked Taft College men's soccer team to a 3-0 non-conference win at Irvine Valley College on Tuesday.
The Cougars are ranked No. 1 in the most current California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) state poll and improved to 7-0-2 with the victory. Six of the seven wins have been shutouts.
Ekpemogu gave Taft the lead with his goal off the assist from Osvaldo Navarro in the 17th minute. The Cougars held a 1-0 halftime advantage before blowing the game open in the second. Navarro scored thanks to the assist from Ernesto Velazquez in the 49th and Ekpemogu connected with Navarro again in the 71st minute with his second goal to close out the scoring.
TC =goalkeepers Jaime Tiscareno (70 minutes) and Myron Gregory (20 min.) combined for the shutout. Tiscareno posted three saves.
Taft closes out its non-conference schedule on Friday (Sep. 24) with a big match at Cerritos College at 4:15 p.m. The Falcons are 5-2 overall and ranked No. 5 in the state.