Canyons and Oxnard Play to Second Draw of Season

A late, second-half equalizing goal salvaged a point for the Cougars in a 1-1 draw against Western State Conference South leaders Oxnard College at Masters College on Friday.

The first half saw few chances from both sides. Only three shots were attempted, and none of them required extra effort from either goalkeeper. It was a scoreless draw in the first half.

The pace of play picked up in the second half, however.

Early in the second, the Cougars tested Oxnard goalie Eduardo Garcia's goal. Shots from Andy Ruiz, Johnathan Noriega and Johnathan Trujillo were all turned away keeping the game scoreless in the 53rd minute.

Oxnard would strike first on a penalty kick goal from Johnny Lopez in the 63rd minute giving the Condors a 1-0 lead.

Canyons looked for an equalizer and had its share of chances, but were turned away by the Oxnard goalkeeper.

Finally, in the 83rd minute, the Cougars came up with their best chances of the match. A shot by COC forward Oscar Sanchez was blocked, but Andres Lozano put the rebound in the back of the net.

The late rally pulled the Cougars even in the match at 1-1. COC defender Omar Navarro assisted on the scoring play.

The Cougars had a chance to pull out a game-winner just moments later, but Andres Lozano had his final shot saved.

The draw ended COC's three-game winning streak, but the Cougars remain undefeated in their last six matches dating back to Oct. 21.

Coincidently, Canyons and Oxnard also played to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 7

The result leaves College of the Canyons out of the running for a conference title and leaves them in third place behind L.A. Mission with one game left on the regular season schedule.

After the draw, the Cougars post a record of 10-2-6 overall with a 8-1-6 record in the Western State Conference.

The Cougars next travel to L.A Mission College for its final regular season home game, at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.