MEN'S SOCCER EDGES TAFT, 1-0

TAFT-- Coach Al Garcia's AHC men's soccer team earned a hard-fought Western State Conference victory at Taft today, 1-0.

Hancock (6-4-2, 2-3-2 WSC) played a brilliant defensive game and was rewarded with a shutout. Freshman Geroge Hunter took care of the goal in the first half and Francisco Hernandez did the honors in the second.

Garcia praised the play of his back line, which included Chris Bessemer, Paul Williams, Forrest Hoefer and Mauricio Miranda.

The winning goal came in the 27th minute of play, with Mark DeFerville scoring off a pass from Memo Chavez. AHC will open second-round play in the WSC at home on Tuesday, when the Bulldogs entertain College of the Canyons at 2:00 p.m.