SARATOGA – West Valley men's soccer continued its non-conference slate with a draw against Folsom Lake College on Saturday.

The Vikings (1-1-3) continued their strong defense in the early portion of the season. In holding the Falcons (4-1-1) to just one goal, West Valley has allowed just four goals through its five matches. It's tied for the fewest goals the Vikings have allowed in their first five matches of a season since 2016, matching head coach Gaspar Silviera's 2023 team that reached the Nor Cal Finals.

With sophomore Romello Fulcher between the posts, the Vikings were able to stop multiple early Falcon attacks. Fulcher proved to be solid to both sides while reading shot angles well. The defensive trio of Devin Rosas, Pavin Nawbatt and Edan Bavelock were stellar in shoring up the back line as well.

In the 13^th minute, Nawbatt broke down the pitch on the left side, taking on two defenders by himself as he entered the scoring box. Finding an opening, he flicked a pass right towards the middle of the posts to find freshman Giovanni Perez who capitalized in the upper right corner for his first goal of his collegiate career.

Perez became the third different freshman, joining Michael Ruiz and Cameron Wildt, to score their first collegiate goals in West Valley kits this season. With Rosas adding two of his own and sophomore forward Erick Villasenor tapping one in as well, the Vikings have scored six goals with five different players, highlighting the offensive versatility of this team.

Fulcher punched three shots away before Folsom Lake scored early in the second half when Folsom's Garrett Viers blew past three defenders, poking one past a diving Fulcher to equalize. It was a questionable call at best, as West Valley's upper-level defenders were seen calling for the offside flag to be raised before Viers even recovered the pass.

Up next, the Vikings aim for revenge against Cañada College, the one team that has held them scoreless this year. The Vikings take on the Colts for a second time this year on Friday at 4 PM on the road before opening Coast-South play against Cabrillo.