Warriors Blank Saints to Extend Win-Streak

The Nelson Warriors' Men's Soccer team (3-5-3) extended their program-record winning streak to three games with a resounding 6-0 shutout victory over the Community Christian College Saints on Saturday night at Christ Church of the Valley in Peoria, AZ, dominating from start to finish, continuing the second half of the season on a surge.

The Warriors overwhelmed CCC with relentless pressure, outshooting them 26-2 overall including an overwhelming 12-1 on shots on goal, while forcing the Saints' goalkeeper to make six saves compared to just one for Nelson's defense. The offensive fireworks began early, as Gabriel Daniel broke the ice at the 8:37 mark with a composed finish assisted by Parker Linhart, giving Nelson a one-to-love lead. Anthony Berrios doubled his club's advantage at 18:58, converting a setup from Damian Yanez to make it 2-0.

Gael Guiverra and Joel Bastida scored on back-to-back shots, each coming just moments before the official's first half whistle, Guiverra slotting home another Yanez assist at 45:25, before Bastida extended his team's lead to 4-0 at 47:30 on an assist from Berrios.

The Saints managed to exert significant defense pressure on the Warriors' strikers early in the second half, but their bend but not break strategy ultimately broke when Isaiah Galindo buried a goal at 78:56—assisted by Yanez, his third helper of the night, and a 5-0 cushion. Berrios sealed his brace while extending the shutout at 83:21 with an unassisted strike, finalizing the 6-0 rout.

On the evening, the Warrior defense was seemingly impenetrable, limiting the Saints to just a single shot on goal that was easily turned away, marking the team's second clean sheet in three outings. The success on the field Saturday night is a signal of the hard work and extra effort head coach Barry Swartz has put in to create such a balanced structure. With multiple contributors stepping up, led by Berrios' two goals, Yanez's three assists, and strikes from Daniel, Guiverra, Bastida, and Galindo, the Warriors continue to find their footing as the season nears its finish, hitting their stride in this inaugural season, while building excitement for what's next.