Las Positas Soccer Remains 'Handful' For Opposition

Dublin High graduate Owen Svantner scored twice in the first half and the Las Positas College men’s soccer team notched its fourth consecutive victory, 4-1 over visiting Ohlone on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Svantner, a freshman midfielder, also had an assist. He has three goals and six assists for 12 points this season.

Sophomore midfielder Tyler Martinez (San Ramon Valley) and Samuel Kanghere (Tracy) also scored for the Hawks, and Saul Gutierrez (Tracy) added two assists.

“Owen Svantner was a handful today and did well scoring a brace and assist, and Saul was productive again with two key assists,” Las Positas head coach Andy Cumbo said. “The group played well and learned a lot and showed their determination to improve.”

After the Hawks raced to a 3-0 lead in the first half, the teams traded goals in the second half. Kanghere rounded out the scoring off a Christopher Magagnini (Monte Vista) assist.

The Las Positas men are working toward their conference opener on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at Canada College-Redwood City.

Women’s soccer

The Las Positas women’s team (7-0-0), ranked No. 18 in the latest United Soccer Coaches national poll and No. 2 in the state poll, defeated a formidable Los Medanos College 2-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Impressive freshmen Caitlyn Garrison (Livermore) and McKenna Masinter (Dublin) each had a goal and an assist in the first half. Freshman Tiffani Cheng (Castro Valley) also had an assist.

“Caitlyn had a great goal and McKenna had a major impact on both sides of the ball,” said Cumbo, who also coaches the women’s team. “Our backline and midfielders did a great job absorbing the attack of a very good LMC team, and our attacking players did well in front of the goal.”

Cumbo described the match as “not easy … The team showed grit and toughness.”

Las Positas will open conference play on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at Canada College-Redwood City.