Kneisel Breaks Single Season Scoring Mark in 3-2 Win Over S.D. Mesa

The College of the Canyons women's soccer record book has officially been rewritten.

COC sophomore Marissa Kneisel scored two goals on Thursday — an equalizer to tie the game in the 80th minute and a game winner in the 89th minute — to break the program's single season scoring record and give Canyons a 3-2 win over San Diego Mesa College.

With her 28 goals thus far this season Kneisel breaks the single-season mark set by sophomore forward Stacey Atwater in 2013.

In an odd side note to that historic feat, Atwater originally set the then single season record of 24 goals exactly two years ago, on Nov. 12, 2013.

Atwater then concluded her sophomore season with 27 goals, before leaving COC as the program's all-time leader in both goals (36) and points (79).

Both of those marks have since been surpassed by Kneisel, who will enter Friday's regular season finale with 48 career goals and 123 points.

On Thursday, the Olympians were in town to play a non-conference match that was originally scheduled to take place in September, but had to be rescheduled due to weather.

Canyons (13-1-5, 10-0-3) entered the match as winners of five straight, having already clinched at least a share of the program's fifth straight WSC, South title.

Prior to the game COC celebrated its five sophomores and three transferring freshman with a brief pre-game ceremony.

Despite the festivities, the Cougars found themselves down 2-0 late in the game to an Olympian squad that had won its last four times out.

But in the 77th minute the momentum started to shift.

COC sophomore Astrid Perez put the Cougars on the board with her fifth goal of the season, which came on an assist from Kneisel. 

Exactly three minutes later, Kneisel tied the game at 2-2 with her 27th of the season, to pull even with Kneisel. The score came off a rebound from a penalty kick.

Then, in the closing moments of the game, Kneisel broke the record in dramatic fashion with her eighth game-winning goal of the season.

COC head coach Justin Lundin and the Cougars will next travel to West L.A. College at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.

A win would clinch the Cougars fifth straight WSC, South title.