Nana Akyen scored two goals in last five minutes to give the Alta California Sol men’s soccer team a 4-3 comeback win over Red Sharks FC of Orange County in a United Premier Soccer League game Saturday night at San Marcos High.
The Santa Barbara-based Alta California Sol rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the second half.
The comeback started in the 73rd minute on a goal by Ivan Luna, assisted by Luis Alfaro. Luna then assist Akyen for the tying goal in the 85th minute.
Two minutes late, Akyen, a former Westmont College standout, pounced on a missed clearance by Red Sharks FC and scored the game winner.
“The guys showed a lot of character, especially in the last 20 minutes,” said Daniel Torres, director of soccer operations for the club. “It’s not easy to come back against a good team that was managing the game real well. It’s the second time we’ve been in that kind of situation and, for the guys to step up and win the game, shows how much they care about each other.”