COD Men’s Soccer settles for tie with Eagles, 2-2

COD (4-5-2) looked to get anything going and when they found themselves down 2-0 midway through the second half they responded in a big way, finding the back of the net twice in the second half and grabbing a tie with Los Angeles Mission Eagles of Sylmar (4-2-2), 2-2.

The Roadrunners played against the Los Angeles Mission Eagles of Sylmar for the first time in program history in 1993 and hold a 1-3-3 overall record against LA Mission. Desert has a 1-1-2 record against the Eagles at home. The most recent time the Roadrunners played LA Mission was in 2023, but the most recent time Desert defeated the Eagles was 1993. Chris Ornelas and David Rubidoux led the way for Desert in a 7-1 win on September 14, 1993 in Palm Desert.

Freshman starting goal keeper Samuel Guzman (Beaumont H.S.) did admirably throughout the course of the game and his defense did their best to support the Roadrunners keeper. Guzman would face 20 total shots, 8 on goal in the tie. Mission would get onto the scoreboard first on a penalty kick in the 8th minute, a goal which would hold through to halftime. The Eagles would add another goal in the 54th minute to go up 2-0, but Desert had reached their limit of Mission pushing their weight around and 76 second later, the Roadrunners finally found the back of the net. Freshman forward Isai Gil (Beaumont H.S.) scored his third goal of the season in the 55th minute on an assist by freshman midfielder Hector Baltierra (La Quinta H.S.), to get Desert within one goal, 2-1. Freshman defender Cardiel Rivera-Meza (Thermal Desert Mirage) would equalize on a throw in after the Eagles keeper touched it and the ball got behind him for the equalizer.

The next match-up for the Roadrunners will be at the College of the Canyons Cougars of Santa Clarita on Friday, October 4 at 6p. The Roadrunners first and only game against Canyons was on September 8, 2019 in the finale of the "Mt. SAC Azteca Soccer/Adidas Tournament," where Desert lost 2-0. The next home game will be against the Victor Valley Rams of Victorville on Friday, October, 11 at 4p in the Conference home opener. The Roadrunners first competed against Victor Valley in 1989 and hold a 18-15-3 overall record against them. Desert has a 11-5-1 record against the Rams in Palm Desert. The Roadrunners have a four-match unbeaten streak over Victor Valley, sweeping the series in 2023 and grabbing a tie and a win in 2022.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Darbie Catalfamo Photography.