Escobedo’s Hat Trick and Gutierrez’s Late Heroics Lead Warriors to Opening Day Win

TORRANCE, Calif. --- It was an impressive return to the pitch for the El Camino College men's soccer team as the Warriors opened the 2021 campaign with a 4-3 victory over Norco Friday afternoon at Norco College.

Freshman Mario Escobedo posted a debut to remember as he notched a hat trick in the first half and David Gutierrez scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute to lift the Warriors to a victory in the program's first game back on the pitch since November 30, 2019.

The Warriors led 3-1 at the half thanks to Escobedo's brilliance as the freshman opened the scoring in the 19th minute on an unassisted tally.

He notched his second goal in the 36th minute off an assist from Richard Andrade and then completed his hat trick in the 42nd minute off a pass from Lucas Lopes.

But Norco would not go down quietly as they tied the score in the second half with two unanswered goals. A tie looked to be imminent until Gutierrez found the back of the net off a dish from Justin Ortega to give the Warriors a 4-3 lead just before the whistle blew for full time.

Sophomore Luis Garibay picked up the victory in net as he played all 90 minutes for ECC.

The Warriors will return to action on Tuesday as they stay on the road to take on Irvine Valley at the OC Great Park. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.