SRJC men’s soccer puts on dominant showcase against Napa Valley to remain undefeated at home

Sophomore Forward Manuel Vargas drops Napa defender as he cuts inside the box to attempt a shot on target. On Friday, Sep. 25 2026.

The Santa Rosa Junior College men’s soccer team dominated Napa Valley 3-0 after taking early control of the matchup at Sypher Soccer Field on Sept. 25.

The Bear Cubs have been on a roll this season, scoring 16 goals in their first seven games while remaining undefeated at home.

Coming off a loss against Cabrillo on Sept. 22, Santa Rosa looked to bounce back against a struggling Napa Valley team who only had one win coming into the matchup.

The Bear Cubs took control from the opening kickoff. Santa Rosa maintained composure and possession the majority of the first half knocking on the door multiple times with several missed shots going over the Napa Valley goalkeeper.

The barrage paid off in the 37th minute after sophomore forward Enrique Guzman sent a cross into the box for sophomore forward Connor Wharton to put the Bear Cubs on the board for the only goal in the first half.

Sophomore Connor Wharton celebrates with teammate Enrique Guzman who assisted him putting the first goal on the board at the 37th minute. On Friday, Sept. 25 2026. (Uri Hernandez)

Assistant coach Adrian Fontanelli commented on what the team needed to do in the second half. “Just keep playing hard and the goals will fall,” he said. “And as we said, the goals kept coming and it was pretty fun to see our guys compete.”

Santa Rosa didn’t stutter to begin the second half, scoring a quick goal from sophomore forward Manuel Vargas who found the back of the net in the 47th minute for his second goal of the season, putting the Bear Cubs up 2-0.

Despite Napa Valley’s attempts to slow down Santa Rosa, the Bear Cubs scored again 12 minutes later when sophomore defender Andrew Santos De Leon found sophomore forward Matthew Benz in the penalty area.

“It felt good, I needed the goal personally,” Wharton said. “I think we should’ve had a few more in the first half, but we killed the game in the second so all is well.In the future we take this game and put it behind us, and every other game is its own game.”

The Bear Cubs look to get back onto a winning streak with a game at San Joaquin Delta on Oct. 2 at 1 p.m.