No. 9 Canyons Gets Past No. 8 L.A. Pierce, Advances to Third Round for First Time in Program History

By Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information   

WOODLAND HILLS —College of the Canyons established a new program first on Saturday, as the No. 9 Cougars defeated No. 8 L.A. Pierce College to advance to the third round of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Women's Soccer Southern California Regional Playoffs for the first time in school history.

Canyons (15-3-4) took down the Brahmas in 2-1 in a determined and organized fashion.

The last postseason matchup between these two programs occurred in the opening round of the 2017 regionals, with the Brahmas taking the result on a 4-2 PK shootout victory.

This time the Cougars set the precedent early, peppering the Brahmas' net, forcing Pierce's sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Perryman to make three saves before watching one glide over net and one off the post in just the first 30 minutes.

L.A. Pierce (13-3-5) got its first on-target shot in the 40th minute, but COC sophomore goalkeeper Kylie Yuzon sure-handedly made the save. Yuzon (10-3-3) recorded a full 90 minutes recording two saves in the match. 

Not a minute later, COC freshman midfielder Giselle Gomez landed the first shot from 35-yards out, sending the ball soaring over Perryman's head to give the Cougars the lead. The score was Gomez' third of the season and her first in postseason play. 

A 1-0 halftime score rolled into the second half for a little over 10 minutes. 

Pierce eventually found its way to the Cougars side to put the ball past Yuzon for the equalizer in the 57th minute. 

However, the Cougars answered back almost immediately when sophomore Rebekah Brooks was quick to remind the Brahmas of her No. 5 ranking in the state with her 21st goal of the season, lasering the ball past Perryman.

The Brahmas made their way to the Cougars side a couple more times before the final whistle, but the COC back line's focus could not be broken.

Canyons will take to the road to face No. 1 Chaffey College on Tuesday, Nov. 22 for a 2 p.m. kickoff. 

The winner of Tuesday's match will advance to the CCCAA Southern California Regional final four to face the winner between No. 4 Mt. San Antonio College (19-1-1) vs. No. 5 Long Beach City College (16-2-3) on Saturday, Nov. 26.

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 courtesy of @COCwomenssoccer