By Dan Minkoff
March 8, 2025
LONG BEACH, CA — Add two more “firsts” to the record book for Long Beach Football Club. Michele Somenzi scored LBFC’s first hattrick in UPSL Premier and the team now has its first 2-0 start after defeating Laguna United FC, 4-2, in a SoCal North conference match at Cabrillo High School Jaguar Stadium.
“I feel happy,” said Somenzi, LBFC’s Italian striker. “First opportunity to score three goals for the team. It was a great win because [when] we started, [it] was a little bit hard with possession and everything. But it was good and I’m happy for the win.”
Skyler Brooks fed a cheeky through pass to Somenzi, who opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a powerful strike from the left side of the penalty area. LBFC took a 2-0 lead 1 minute in to first-half stoppage time when Mason Cookus's driven cross across the face of the goal was deflected by a defender for an own goal.
LBFC took what felt like a comfortable 3-0 lead in the 71st minute when Michael McKibbin intercepted an errant pass deep in Laguna United territory, drove in on goal and squared across to Somenzi, who was unmarked and put the ball into an empty net from 5 yards out.
“Today we were effective,” said Long Beach coach Art Caballero. “We were able to capitalize on their mistakes and having players like McKibben, Michele and Sky starting to understand the style of play and responsibilities, both defensively and on the attack. Like today, we had more runners. We had guys running in the box. One goal came from McKibben understanding his role there in the middle, winning the ball and then right away going at them.”
Laguna United ruined the shutout and created a little bit of drama for the final 15 minutes, but Somenzi completed his hattrick when he intercepted a pass, quicky turned and outran three defenders to slot home in the 76th minute and give Long Beach a 4-1 lead. Laguna United added a second goal about four minutes later and pushed hard for the final 10 minutes, but couldn’t break through. Despite allowing two goals, Long Beach goalkeeper Alan Solorio was arguably the game’s outstanding player if not for Somenzi.
Solario made a stunning save on a free kick in the second half, made several other crucial blocks, commanded his area on aerial balls in the box and started multiple dangerous attacks with great distribution.
“They’re all becoming more comfortable with one another,” Caballero said. “It definitely showed. And I think possession also was better. I think it's just a matter of the guys getting a little bit more comfortable with one another and making sure that they continue to believe in the process, so that we can continue to improve on the system and the style of play.”
LBFC heads back on the road this week with a 4 p.m. game in Coachella on Saturday, March 15 against Chiriaco FC. The following week, Long Beach will host Apple Valley Storm at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 at Cabrillo High School Jaguar Stadium. Tickets for all home games, including a season Shorepass can be purchased online or at the gate.
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