COC SOCCER GRIDLOCKED

COC Cougars play to 0-0 tie against tough Oxnard team

College of the Canyons and Oxnard College were two of the hottest men’s soccer teams in the Western State Conference coming into their matchup on Tuesday night.

The Cougars had scored 11 goals in their last three games, while the state No. 5 ranked Condors had scored seven.

So, it was only fitting that the two conference rivals tied 0- 0 in their clash at Cougar Stadium Tuesday night.

“It’s a little disappointing (not getting the win). We should’ve won,” said COC forward and midfielder Oscar Sanchez. “We played hard. This is probably the best team we’re going to play. We knew that, so we prepared to play them strong.”

The Cougars (2- 4-3 overall, 2-2-2 WSC) did come out strong, pressuring the Condors every time they touched the ball.

COC’s defense only allowed Oxnard (7-1-2, 5- 0-1) four shots on goal the entire match.

“It’s always tough to come to Canyons,” said Oxnard head coach Ross Greaney. “They’re a tough defensive team. They played well, they played compact. We had the ball for a lot of the game, but we couldn’t create enough openings and get that winner.”

Both head coaches knew it was only going to take one goal to take the win, but neither team could get the winning goal across.

The

Cougars’ best chance came in the first half when Hart graduate Anthony Salvadori, sent a 35-yard strike to the very corner of the goal just after the 20-minute mark. But Oxnard’s Eduardo Garcia was able to bring the save.

COC had a few more chances in the second half, but couldn’t connect.

“We always felt we had the speed to be dangerous against them, but we lacked that last little pass

or that one little touch,” said COC head coach Philip Marcellin. “It was one of those games, you just don’t get that one key decision.”

The Cougars have now taken points in the last four matches and have gone three straight games without giving up a goal.

“They’re the defending conference champs, so for us to be able to play with this team shows where we’re at and motivates our guys,” Marcellin said of Oxnard. “I was pleased with the result but it would’ve been much nicer to get the win.”

Katharine Lotze/ The Signal (See additional photos on signalscv.com) College of the Canyons midfielder Eddie Gomez, right, fights for control of the ball with Oxnard defender Jerry Orozco, center, as Gomez’s teammate, Oscar Sanchez, left, comes in to assist during a soccer game at COC on Tuesday.

Katharine Lotze/ The Signal College of the Canyons midfielder Brian Cano battles Oxnard College defender Jerry Orozco for control of the ball as Daniel Aguilar looks on during a game at COC on Tuesday.