Women's Soccer Opens Season as 3-1 Winner at Ventura

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

VENTURA — College of the Canyons was on the winning side of a 3-1 road result vs. Ventura College on Friday, as the Cougars used two goals from sophomore Rebekah Brooks to open the 2022 season in victorious fashion.

Canyons (1-0), the defending Western State Conference (WSC), South Division champions, netted all three goals in the second half with Brooks getting the Cougars on the board at 1-0 in the 46th minute. COC freshman Laurel Durkin was credited with an assist on the play.

Brooks, who earned conference Player of the Year, All-Region and All-State Team honors as a freshman, has now claimed 21 goals in 21 career games player. 

The Cougars extended their advantage at 2-0 on freshman Ryan Shepherd's first score of the season in the 52nd minute. Shepherd's goal came off a touch from Brooks and put Canyons in control.

Ventura scored in the 66th minute to cut the Pirate deficit in half at 2-1 on a goal from Alexis Arrieta. 

Canyons used the second score from Brooks, which was assisted by Lauryn Bailey, to up its advantage at 3-1 in the 85th minute.

COC goalkeeper Kylie Yuzon (1-0) earned the win and recorded two saves in the process. 

Head coach Justin Lundin's squad will now return home to host Moorpark College at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30. That match will be part of a COC soccer doubleheader, with the Cougars' men's team also hosting Moorpark in a 4:30 p.m. start. 

Both games will be live streamed to fans free of charge via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department at www.COCathletics.com and on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.