Soccer Ends Pre-Season with Loss to Canyons
LAMC Soccer lost in a heartbreaker on Friday 3-2 at College of the Canyons.
Neither team scored in the first half of the game. In the second, Mission scored first on a far post shot by freshman midfielder Jorge Rojas in the 58th minute. Almost immediately after, Canyons tied the game 1-1, and then gained the lead with another goal in the 63rd minute.
Sophomore forward Javier Moran came through for the Eagles in the 71st minute, scoring the tying goal on a rebound from a corner kick. It was his 7th goal of the season, placing him 10th on California's leaderboard.
Despite the tying shot, Mission was never able to gain momentum or control the tempo of the game. With three minutes left, the Cougars scored the go-ahead goal, and the Eagles were unable to retaliate.
Head coach Julio Castillo said that Canyons, a 3-8 team, did not necessarily play good offense; rather, Mission's defense was lackluster at best.
"We just weren't reacting on defense," Castillo said. "We still lack the consistency we need on the field and right now we don't know when the team will show up ready to play."
However, he said the team has proven their talent and drive in plenty of games, and he's optimistic about their chances in conference if they play to their potential.
Mission opens Western State Conference play on the road on Tuesday, Oct. 10, against defending conference champion Oxnard.