COD Men’s Soccer falls in PK battle with Jaguars, 3-2

COD (2-9-2; 2-6-1) took an early lead, but fell short in a game that came down to a pair of penalty kicks late in a game that saw over 30 fouls called, the Chula Vista Southwestern Jaguars (7-6-1; 5-3-1) would take the game 3-2.

The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest kept the keepers very busy all game long, as freshman goal keeper Daniel Rivera (Palm Desert H.S.) made 13 huge saves, including eight in the second half alone.

The Jaguars would get on the board first in the 14th minute, putting the home squad in a 1-0 hole early. Moments later, in the 25th minute, the Roadrunners would equalize as freshman defender Alejandro Delgado (Thermal Coachella Valley) threaded the needle and pushed a pass forward to freshman midfielder Gregorio Leon, Jr. (Palm Desert H.S.) who pounded a shot past the Jaguars keeper in the 21st minute to tie the game at 1-1.

Just before the half, Southwestern would be awarded it's first of six yellow cards on the afternoon, by the end of the game, the Jaguars were left with nine men, after two red cards were issued. Desert was awarded two yellows.

In the 51st minute, the Jaguars would untie the game on a header in front of the Desert net and the score would remain 2-1 for most of the match. Then with less than 7 minutes remaining, Southwestern was left a man down after their first red card, giving Desert a prime opportunity to again tie up the match before full time. 

With 36 seconds left, the Jaguars were awarded a penalty kick right in front of the Desert goal for a Roadrunners called foul in the box. Southwestern would convert their chance and take a 3-1 lead, moments later the middle official called out a 13 minute extra time. The longest amount of injury time that this writer has ever seen.

In extra time, Desert was awarded their own penalty kick after a Roadrunners forward was brought down in the far corner of the goal box. Sophomore midfielder Matheus Silva Rego was tasked with taking the shot and did so brilliantly, as he tucked his attempt into the upper right hand corner of the goal to get the home side within one. Unfortunately, the extra time ended before Desert had a chance to tie.

Photo by Brian Sylva (COD SID)
Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information