MEN'S SOCCER CLOSES OUT WITH 3-0 WIN OVER TAFT

SANTA MARIA-- Coach Al Garcia's Allan Hancock College soccer team enned its 2003 season on a high note, defeating Taft, 3-0, on the campus field Monday.

Hancock (8-9-3, 6-8-2 WSC) was seeking a third consecutive Western State Conference title when the season began in August, but fell short of that lofty goal. Los Angeles Mission College broke the string and will represent the conference in the post-season.

The Bulldogs played Taft to a scoreless tie in the first half, with both teams making several impressive defensive plays. Francisco Calderon finally broke the ice in the 52nd minute, scoring the games first goal on a pass from Chris Bessmer. Just four minutes later, AHC increased the lead to 2-0 on a penalty kick by Guillermo Chavez. Mark DeFerville was credited with the assist.

Hancock put the game away in the 75th minute on a goal by Jose Escobar, assisted by Dustin Robertson. Freshman goal-keeper George Hunter posted his best performance of the season, finishing with his first shutout.

Of 21 original players on the Hancock roster, Coach Garcia looks to return 12 freshmen for the 2004 season, including Hunter, Escobar, Bessmer, DeFerville, Robertson, Mauricio Miranda, Brett Mullinax and Chris Mooney.