Freshman Ebubechukwu Ekpemogu scored twice to help lead the No. 1 state-ranked Taft College men's soccer team to a 3-0 non-conference win at Irvine Valley College on Tuesday.

The Cougars are ranked No. 1 in the most current California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) state poll and improved to 7-0-2 with the victory. Six of the seven wins have been shutouts.

Ekpemogu gave Taft the lead with his goal off the assist from Osvaldo Navarro in the 17^th minute. The Cougars held a 1-0 halftime advantage before blowing the game open in the second. Navarro scored thanks to the assist from Ernesto Velazquez in the 49^th and Ekpemogu connected with Navarro again in the 71^st minute with his second goal to close out the scoring.

TC =goalkeepers Jaime Tiscareno (70 minutes) and Myron Gregory (20 min.) combined for the shutout. Tiscareno posted three saves.

Taft closes out its non-conference schedule on Friday (Sep. 24) with a big match at Cerritos College at 4:15 p.m. The Falcons are 5-2 overall and ranked No. 5 in the state.