Cougars Eliminated From Postseason with 2-1 Loss at Mt. SAC

Story and photo by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

WALNUT — Freshman Sabine Yalung launched a strike from far outside the box that beat the Mounties' keeper and put College of the Canyons on the board, but the lone goal was not enough as the No. 12 seed Cougars dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 4 Mt. San Antonio College (SAC) in the second round of the CCCAA Southern California Regional Playoffs.

Yalung's score, her first of the season, came in the 62nd minute and gave the Cougars new life.

Moments earlier, Mt. SAC had gone ahead 2-0 on an awkward goal by Alyssa Williams, her second of the game, that found the back of the net after a collision with Canyons' goalkeeper Kylie Yuzon. 

The two teams had played to a scoreless opening half before Williams struck first in the 51st minute, off a touch by Karissa Vela.

Despite taking the loss, Yuzon was strong throughout with seven saves in the game. She ends the year with a record of 6-4-1.

Canyons had its chances throughout the match, but could not execute vs. a Mounties side that has not lost since Sept. 10.

Sophomore Maggie Maldonado sent a free kick off the crossbar in the 60th minute which would have tied the game. Moments later the Mounties went ahead 2-0 on Williams' second score.

Freshman Rebekah Brooks also had an opportunity deep in Mountie territory in the game's opening moments that was eventually turned away. 

The COC and Mt. SAC women's soccer programs have had a recent history of postseason meetings.

Canyons and Mt. SAC last met in the opening round of the SoCal Regionals in 2019, with the Mounties emerging with a 2-1 overtime win. 

The two programs also faced each other in the opening postseason match back in 2013, with COC winning that game 2-1.

Canyons (14-5-1, 10-1-1) advanced to its 2021 postseason match vs. Mt. SAC (16-2-5, 7-0-2) after defeating No. 5 San Diego Mesa College (16-3-2, 15-0-1) in the opening round playoff matchup. 

In that game, Canyons battled back from a 2-0 halftime deficit, then tied the game at 3-3 late in the second half to take the match to overtime and eventually claim the 4-3 extra time victory.

The playoff victory vs. San Diego Mesa was the first for Canyons since the 2014 season. That year Canyons defeated Saddleback College in the opening round by a 2-1 final score.

COC has now advanced to the postseason in 10 consecutive seasons. Canyons head coach Justin Lundin concludes the 2021 season with a record of 161-52-39.

The Cougars should bring back an experienced roster in 2022 with the core of this year's squad expected to return.

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. 

—Photo by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information