Canyons Plays to a Draw, But Earns the Victory

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – After 90 minutes of action, College of the Canyons and Citrus College walked off the pitch Friday to a 2-2 draw. No more than 72 hours later, COC had been declared the winner after Citrus forfeited the game because of an ineligible player issue.

The game itself, saw each team dominate a half. Citrus scored both goals in the first half while College of the Canyons scored two goals in the second half to pull even.

The scoring began in the 23rd minute when Citrus' Takuro Kawashima put one past COC goalkeeper Steven Rodriguez to put the Owls up 1-0.

Just before the halftime whistle the Owls would score again, putting Citrus up 2-0 at halftime.

But while Citrus closed the first half with a goal, COC opened the second with an answer.

In the 48th minute COC midfielder Maynor Alcaraz scored his first goal of the season. Chris Tumasone was credited with an assist. The Cougars trailed 2-1.

COC would eventually tie it up with a goal in the 62nd minute, after Maynor Alcaraz netted his second goal of the game. Chris Tumasone connected with Alcaraz again, tying the score at 2-2.

Over the final 30 minutes, the Cougars would keep pressure on the Owls goal with multiple chances and corner kick attempts.

The Cougars gained a man advantage, however after Citrus defender Trevor Pedroza was given a red card and sent off in the 83rd minute.

COC forward Jesus Pescador would have one more chance, but the final shot of the game went over the crossbar ending the match in a 2-2 draw.

The Cougars ended up outshooting Citrus 12 to 5 for the game and had a corner kick advantage 6 to 2.

The awarded victory ups College of the Canyons' record to 6-1-2 and to 4-0-2 against conference opponents. COC is in first place in the Western State Conference and leads L.A. Mission College and Oxnard College by one point.

College of the Canyons next faces Oxnard College at 4 p.m Tuesday, Oct. 7.