No. 6 Cougars Shock No. 2 Santa Ana

SANTA ANA, Calif. – College of the Canyons scored three goals in the final seven minutes of regulation to defeat No. 2 Santa Ana College 3-1 in the third round of the California Community College Athletic Association Regional Playoffs. The Cougars will now play in the state championship tournament on Friday, Dec. 3, on the campus of College of the Canyons.

Santa Ana took a 1-0 lead into halftime after scoring on a penalty kick in the 34th minute of the game. 

It took COC 83 minutes to get a score in the board, when a cross was cleared to Jose Reyes in front of the Santa Ana net. With Santa Ana's keeper out of position, he pushed the ball past the goalie and into the right back corner, to tie the score at 1-1.

Just over three minutes later, the Cougars lined up for a corner kick. Emmanuel Padron converted for his first goal of the post season, off an assist from Jorge Serrano.

Almost two minutes later, Andres Bueno quickly turned the corner and took the ball down the field and went one-on-one with the Santa Ana keeper, to put the ball in the left side of the net.

Canyons finished the game with 14-10 shot advantage and a 4-3 corner kick advantage. Alex Burkevics completed the game with fives saves. 

This was Canyons' second time playing against Santa Ana this season. In the first match up between the two teams, COC lost 4-1 at home. The win is the first time head coach Phil Marcellin has beat the Dons as the College of the Canyons men's soccer coach. Santa Ana leads the all-time series 3-1.

Today's victory also marks the first time that the Cougar men's soccer program will be playing in the state championship tournament. Last season, the Cougars made it as far as the third round, but lost 4-0 to Santa Ana, to end their playoff hopes.