UPDATE: The College of the Canyons Cougars delivered a stunning performance on November 3, 2023, defeating Citrus College 6-2 during an electrifying Sophomore Night matchup. This victory marks a season-high goal count for the Cougars, who showcased their skills in a must-see game on their home field.
The Cougars (5-11-3, 3-6) celebrated their five graduating sophomores—Diego Briseno, Steven Garcia, Juandiego Rodriguez, Jeffrey Contreras, and Leon Mikailian—before the match, honoring their contributions to the program. Canyons improved its home record to 4-4-2 this season as they played their final match on home turf.
The action kicked off after a scoreless first half, with Ivan Omana scoring the first goal of the match just two minutes into the second half, in the 47th minute. Assisted by Andrew Sorto, Omana’s strike ignited the Cougars’ offense, putting them ahead 1-0. Almost immediately, Omana found the net again, making it 2-0 just a minute later, courtesy of a setup from Carlos Mendez.
Citrus (1-18-1, 1-8) managed to respond with a goal by Kevin Cardenas in the 61st minute, narrowing the gap to 2-1. However, the Cougars quickly regained momentum, with Contreras scoring his first of the season in the 73rd minute, extending their lead to 3-1.
The Owls didn’t back down, with Cardenas netting his second goal shortly after, bringing the score to 3-2. But the Cougars’ offense surged once more, with Rodriguez scoring twice in rapid succession, once in the 74th minute and again in the 87th minute, after assists from Justin Assadi and Mikailian, respectively.
Rodriguez’s impressive performance contributed to a final goal from Mikailian, sealing the match at 6-2 with an emphatic strike in the 90th minute. Goalkeeper Jonathan Mazon started the game, making two saves, while David Zendejas took over in the second half, securing the win.
The Cougars dominated the field with a staggering 26 shots, including 17 on goal, and earned nine corners. Citrus goalkeeper AJ Baragan managed to make nine saves, despite the heavy onslaught from Canyons.
Looking ahead, the Cougars are set to conclude their season with a crucial away game against Santa Monica College on November 8, 2023. Fans are eager to see if Canyons can carry this momentum into their final match and finish the season strong.
This thrilling victory not only highlights the Cougars’ capabilities but also celebrates the dedication of their graduating class. Stay tuned for more updates as the season wraps up!
