Orange County FC Bounce Back with Victory over High Desert Elite

By Art Eftekhari/Orange County FC

One week after its first loss of the season, Orange County FC was determined to get back on track against NPSL newcomers High Desert Elite FC.

OCFC was in control from the start and took the lead in the 20th minute when South Korean winger Dowan Kim scored his first goal of the season.  The High Desert defenders were unable to clear an OCFC free kick and an unmarked Kim volleyed his shot into the net.

Five minutes later an opportunity for High Desert Elite turned into a counterattack opportunity for Orange County FC and Cody Shelton finished off a cross when his header bounced off the post and into the net to give the home side a 2-0 lead.

Kim was at the forefront of the attack with his speed and awareness and continued his spectacular night when he scored his second goal of the match in the 30th minute after he finished off a perfect cross from Michael Bryant.

OCFC was taking care of business and never took its foot off the gas.  In the 39th minute, OCFC was on the attack again and Bryant perfectly backheeled a cross from Shelton to extend the lead to 4-0 and get himself on the highlight reel.

Five minutes into the second half, Shelton scored his second goal of the night when his header off a Jonny Romero corner kick gave OCFC a 5-0 lead.

There would be no more scoring on the night as OCFC keeper Pepe Miranda earned his first clean sheet of the season.

The 5-0 victory was the perfect way for OCFC to forget about the loss one week ago to FC Arizona and winger Dowan Kim showed why he belongs in Paul Caligiuri’s starting lineup.

Everyone knows that winning cures everything and Caligiuri’s men are looking to build on the momentum ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day clash away from home against Riverside Coras.

Photo Credit: Stan Brucato