No. 9 Canyons Advances to Next Round 4-0 Over No. 24 Mt. San Jacinto

By Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information   

No. 9 College of the Canyons powered past visiting No. 24 Mt. San Jacinto College 4-0 on Wednesday to advance to the next round of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Women's Soccer Southern California Regional Playoffs. 

Canyons (14-3-4) entered the postseason on a nine-game unbeaten run, with the playoff victory pushing that streak to 10. Tuesday's home postseason victory was the first for the program since 2014. The Cougars had not hosted a home postseason game since the 2017 campaign.

Mt. San Jacinto (10-8-1) was playing in the postseason for the first time since the 2016 season before having its season ended by the Cougars 

COC sophomore goalkeeper Kylie Yuzon (9-3-3) led her team from the net, clocking in a full 90 minutes and recording one save. Her lack of time handling the ball can be attributed to a disciplined defense that translated to a tenacious offense. 

The Cougars had a few quality opportunities in the first few minutes, but freshman Natalie Zuluaga Ramirez was first to find the back of the net in the 18th minute. 

From there the Cougars consistently tacked on goals, making it difficult for the Eagles to find a rhythm.  

COC's leading goal-scorer, Rebekah Brooks commanded the offense scoring a pair of goals and assisting another. Her first goal came in the 31st minute, unassisted. 

Brooks continued to press the Eagles defense into the second half, sending a ball at net where it rebounded off the keeper to an eager Ryan Shepherd who blasted the ball to the back of the net for a 3-0 lead in the 61st minute.

Not seven minutes later, Brooks accelerated past an Eagles defender to hammer the ball to the back of the net in her signature left-footed fashion for her 20th goal of the season. 

This win propels the Cougars into the second round of CCCAA playoffs where they will face off against No. 8 L.A. Pierce College on the road at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19.

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 Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director