UPDATE: The College of the Canyons Cougars delivered a stunning performance on July 14, 2023, defeating Citrus College 6-2 in a decisive match during their annual Sophomore Night. This victory marks the Cougars’ highest goal tally of the season, showcasing their significant improvement at home as they aim to finish strong.
The Cougars (5-11-3, 3-6) celebrated their five sophomores—Diego Briseno, Steven Garcia, Juandiego Rodriguez, Jeffrey Contreras, and Leon Mikailian—with a special ceremony before the game, recognizing their contributions over the past two seasons.
The action kicked off after a scoreless first half, with Ivan Omana breaking the deadlock just two minutes into the second half, scoring his first goal of the season in the 47th minute. An assist from Andrew Sorto set the tone for the Cougars, who quickly followed up with another goal from Omana in the 48th minute, extending their lead to 2-0.
Citrus College (1-18-1, 1-8) fought back in the 61st minute with a goal from Kevin Cardenas, narrowing the lead to 2-1. However, the Cougars responded decisively. In the 73rd minute, sophomore Jeffrey Contreras netted his first goal of the season, pushing the score to 3-1. Cardenas quickly answered back with another goal, making it 3-2.
With the pressure mounting, Canyons showcased their offensive strength. Juandiego Rodriguez scored twice in quick succession, increasing his season total to three goals—one in the 74th minute and another in the 87th minute. His first goal was assisted by Justin Assadi, while the second came from Mikailian.
The final blow came in the 90th minute when Mikailian sealed the Cougars’ victory with a goal, bringing the final score to a commanding 6-2.
In terms of performance, Cougars’ goalkeeper Jonathan Mazon started the game and made two saves, while David Zendejas (3-8) played the second half and earned the win. The team recorded a remarkable 26 shots, with 17 on target, and earned nine corner kicks throughout the match. Citrus’s goalkeeper AJ Baragan managed to make nine saves despite the onslaught.
As the Cougars prepare to conclude their season with a trip to Santa Monica College on Wednesday, this victory not only boosts morale but also highlights the talent and determination of the team.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Cougars look to carry this momentum forward!
