Cougars Men's Soccer Set to Start Conference Title Defense

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

College of the Canyons men's soccer is set to open the regular season as the defending Western State Conference (WSC), South Division champions for the first time in the program's 17-year history.

In 2018, the Cougars hoisted the program's first conference championship and returned to the postseason after a hiatus dating back to 2010. Canyons, which finished the year 10-7-3 overall and 7-2-1 in conference play, won four of its final five games down the stretch to end the regular season, including a 1-0 road victory over Bakersfield College in the regular season finale to clinch its championship.

Canyons opens the 2019 campaign on Friday, Sept. 6 during day one of the Mt. San Antonio College Azteca Soccer/Adidas Tournament in Walnut. COC is slated to face the host Mounties with a 7 p.m. first touch.

The Cougars return for a second tournament game on Sunday, Sept. 8, with that opponent and start time still yet to be determined.

Returning to the pitch for Canyons this season are sophomore midfielders Jesus Ocampo, Jaime Erazo, Alec Longoria, defender Jake Erazo and forward Ruben Rodriguez-Vega.

COC head coach Phil Marcellin, who enters his 17th year at the helm, also introduces a talented crop of 16 freshmen, including eight from Santa Clarita Valley area programs.

Following this weekend's season debut the Cougars will host their 2019 home opener at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, vs. Moorpark College.

The 14-game WSC schedule begins a few weeks later with a road tilt vs. Citrus College at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Admission to all Cougars soccer home games is free. A full 2019 schedule can be seen here.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.