USL’s Orange County SC Scores Two in Stoppage Time To Take Win

As Orange County SC looks to earn their place in the playoffs, the team earns an important victory and proves their strength, power, and determination.

The beauty of soccer is the game is really never over until the final whistle blows. On rare occasions, even the last few minutes of stoppage time can make all the difference.

One of the reasons fans love soccer is its unpredictability.

The beautiful game is universally respected for bringing people of all walks of life together but the special insanity of anything-can-happen in a split second was clearly showcased on the pitch last Saturday night when Orange County SC rose up from behind to score two goals in stoppage time vs. OKC and claimed the USL Western Conference #1 position.

The game was played in Southern California at the Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, OCSC’s home field — and, as the team mounted their successful comeback, their fans went wild.

Orange County SC deserved the win.

Not only because of their players’ incredible skill and impressive stamina to take control of their fate in stoppage time, not just because of their brave, never-say-die mentality being a great example to all those who play the game but of how deeply they wanted it.

This is a team that can proudly attribute their rise in the ranks from hard work and great leadership from OCSC’s Head Coach Braeden Cloutier, General Manager Oliver Wyss, and team Owner James Keston.

“It is a credit to our technical staff that we win games like this,” said Wyss. “It was an electrifying atmosphere and the stadium erupted when we scored our second goal. It was a top-quality game with a well deserved come back win for us.”

The emotional rollercoaster of trailing in an important match at the 90-minute mark, at home in front of 3,400 fans, to emerge triumphant with two goals in stoppage time for a remarkable 3-2 win was visible.

“This game was really a tribute to the will to win that our players and coaching staff have shown all season,” said Keston. “Orange County SC’s motto is Relentless and Ruthless, and that is what you saw on the field Saturday night.” Keston said, “We could not be more excited about sitting at the top of the Western Conference with 5 games remaining in the season and potentially hosting the first home playoff game in OCSC’s history on October 20th, if the results keep going our way.”

“It was a perfect example of the never say die attitude that we wanted to instill in this club,” said Cloutier.

“I believe we deserved to win the game overall, but in the fashion that we did it in was definitely one that we will never forget,” said Cloutier. “That’s the adrenaline rush that most people cannot imagine unless you experience it in sports.”

What did the players think when Orange County SC won in stoppage time?

We asked Orange County SC forward Michael Seaton.

“The feeling was great,” said Seaton. “Words can’t explain how much emotion was left in that game — and, for the team finding a way to pull through even though our back was against the wall, and to score twice! It was great. We are setting ourselves up for a playoff-type atmosphere.”

We also asked Orange County SC midfielder Aodhan Quinn.

“I felt a lot of joy when I saw the ball hit the net because the team collectively worked very hard the entire game and I thought we deserved all 3 points,” Quinn.

“Being in first place is great, we have consistently shown we are a very good team and deserve to be up there with Monarchs and Phoenix,” said Quinn. “It will be an exciting finish and, hopefully, we continue to perform and control what we can control.”

The pride of earning the top standing of first place in the USL’s Western Conference was also evident.

Highlights of the match included Midfielder Aodhan Quinn adding his 11th assist of the season to his match-winning goal. Quinn ranks second in the USL in assists. And, besides protecting his team from OKC, Defender Noah Powder also scored his first goal of 2018.

OCSC’s Carson Merk recap of the OCSC victory over OKC reported that Orange County SC now sits atop the USL’s Western Conference with 54 points, one ahead of Real Monarchs SLC and Phoenix Rising FC.

The club will return to action next Sunday, September 16th, on the road at Fresno FC before returning home to host Real Monarchs on Wednesday, September 19th.

Support Soccer: Tickets are available at OCSC, or by calling 949-647-GOAL.