Cougars Men's Soccer Begins Season Aug. 23

By Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information

College of the Canyons men's soccer returns for the 2024 season on Friday, Aug. 23 at Taft College. 

Canyons opens the regular season on the road for the first of four matches away from Santa Clarita. The Cougars are then scheduled to travel to Moorpark College on Aug. 27 and San Diego City College on Aug. 30, before capping the road stint at College of the Sequoias on Sept. 3.

COC then returns home to host Lemoore College at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 on its home pitch. 

Canyons will see a handful of familiar faces returning to the field in a group that includes sophomores Garrett Carrillo, Gage Fritz and Christian Lanzaz-Castillo.

Carrillo, who attended Hart High School, started in 19 of his 20 games as a freshman in 2023, holding the back line for Canyons. Fritz controlled the midfield in his 19 appearances, with the Saugus High School alum claiming one assist. Lanzaz-Castillo from Canyon High School worked up top for 16 games also claiming an assist.  Alex Delgado (Canyon High School) and Andy Delgado (Canyon High School) also return to the program for a second season.

The group of returners will be joined by 16 new Cougars with head coach Phil Marcelin commenting that "we have some strong incoming players that will make an impact." 

Marcelin highlighted several players to keep an eye out for this 2024 campaign. Among those were midfielder Chris Chavez (Birmingham High School), defender Diego Briseno (Pete Knight High School), forward Christian Hanson (West Ranch High School) and goalkeeper Hunter Maiden (Saugus High School). Maiden also brings a year of college experience from his time at Trine University. 

Together the squad is ramping up for another season in the WSC, South Division lead by Marcelin who is set to begin his 22nd season at the helm.

COC is scheduled to host 10 home matches, including five conference games. 

The WSC, South schedule begins at home Tuesday, Oct 15 vs. Antelope Valley College.

COC men's soccer home games will continue to be live streamed to fans free of charge via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network throughout the 2024 season. Live Stream links will be provided to fans via www.COCathletics.com or via the @COCathletics social media channels.

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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

—Photo by Robert Hanoshiro/COC Sports Information