Kevin Anderson, center, celebrates his scoring of the first-ever goal for the Salinas Valley Samba with teammates, from left, Nate Northup, Ismael Ibarra and Santiago Aguilera.
SCOTT MACDONALD/THE SALINAS CALIFORNIAN
The Salinas Valley Samba's Erick Supnet, left, trips up Northern Nevada's Jorge Cubero in the first half of the Samba's first-ever game Sunday at Salinas High School.
The players on the Salinas Valley Samba wanted to prove a point on Sunday: they came to win and impress.
Message delivered.
The Samba scored four goals in the second half to defeat the Northern Nevada Aces 5-1 Sunday in the local team's season-opener at Salinas High School. Approximately 575 were on hand during an overcast day to witness the debut of the Men's Premier Soccer League franchise, according to Samba spokesman Roan White.
"We wanted to show the crowd that we can win," said forward Santiago Aguilera, who assisted on the historic first goal scored by the Samba. "It was a must-win game."
The Samba's defense put the lockdown on Northern Nevada, allowing three shots on goal in the second half.
In the 49th minute, Zack Blacik broke through the right side of the Samba defense, and fired in a laser shot past goalkeeper Daniel Chamberlin.
The Aces tried to take the lead with a shot one minute later, but Chamberlain made a diving stop. The Aces did not get another shot on goal until the final minute.
Meanwhile, the front six players for the Samba put pressure on the Northern Nevada defense, with forwards Aguilera and Joel Sanchez firing at will against goalkeeper Chris Entwistle.
In the 73rd minute, Sanchez grabbed control of the ball off a shot attempt and fired in from the left side to put Salinas Valley ahead 2-1.
Two minutes later, a Northern Nevada player pushed Sanchez in an attempt to gain possession. On a free kick, Sanchez lofted the ball to Brenden Taguinod who headed it in. Samba players and fans celebrated their 3-1 lead.
Yuri Morales scored on a give-and-go in the 80th minute and Aguilera fired in a shot in the 87th minute to seal the deal.
The Samba had its chances in the first half as well, but the shots either went wide or too high. Rather than get frustrated, the players stayed optimistic.
"We just wanted to keep attacking and attacking," said Sanchez, an Everett Alvarez High alum. "We were going to score eventually."
When they did score, the pro-Samba fans in attendance responded.
The Aces finished with six shots on goal, three in each half.
"If we do what we can, we'll win," said Samba coach Artie Cairel. "I was pleased with our defense."
Salinas Valley managed 22 shots on goal.
Keith Anderson scored the first goal of the game for the Samba. In the 10th minute, Aguilera brought the ball up the right side, but had three defenders in his way. The goalkeeper Entwistle came in to stop Aguilera, but the Samba forward shot a pass to Anderson who booted the ball in for the goal.
Following the game, the players stretched and shook hands with friends and family.
"This was a big weight off our shoulders," Sanchez said. "We wanted to win the first to show the crowd we can do it."
Northern Nevada, already without two starters because of injuries, fell to 0-2 on the season.
The Samba plays at Salinas High at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the Utah Salt Ratz.
