COD Men’s Soccer holds on for big win over Rams, 3-2

COD (6-6-2; 1-1) ramped up the offense and it paid huge dividends as the Roadrunners scored 3 goals to start the game then clamped down on defense to hold off a late surge by the Victor Valley Rams of Victorville (4-8-1; 0-2), 3-2.

The Roadrunners first competed against Victor Valley in 1989 and hold a 19-15-3 overall record against them. Desert has a 12-5-1 record against the Rams in Palm Desert. The Roadrunners have a five-match unbeaten streak over Victor Valley, sweeping the series in 2023 and grabbing a tie and a win in 2022.

After a very slow first half, freshman starting goal keeper Samuel Guzman (Beaumont H.S.) had a whirlwind of a second half, under constant assault he faced 7 shots on goal in quick succession. A near stalemate was had, as both teams could not get a distinct rhythm, while Desert held possession almost the entire first half, nothing made it into the back of the net. In the 33rd minute, Desert would break the logjam as freshman defender Cardiel Rivera-Meza (Thermal Desert Mirage) found freshman forward Juan Urtiz (Thermal Coachella Valley) for his second goal of the season, giving the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead. A little over 3 minutes later, the combo of freshman midfielder Hector Baltierra (La Quinta H.S.) and freshman forward Isai Gil (Beaumont H.S.) connected once again, as Gil scored his 4th goal of the season to give the home side a 2-0 lead, which they held through to halftime. In the 46th minute, sophomore defender Aidan Brothers (La Quinta H.S.) added to the Rams misery as he scored his team leading 6th goal of the season. Freshman defender Frankie Villalta (Thermal Desert Mirage) and freshman midfielder Gerardo Montellano (Indio H.S.) both had big games for Desert as well.

The next match-up for the Roadrunners will continue Conference play at the Norco Mustangs on Tuesday, October 15 at 4:30p. The Roadrunners first competed against Norco in 2012 and hold a 6-6-1 overall record against them. Desert has a 1-5-1 record against the Mustangs in Norco. The Roadrunners have dropped the last three games against Norco, with the most recent win in the series happening at home on October 12, 2022. The next home game will be against the Chaffey Panthers of Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, October, 18 at 4p in IEAC play. The Roadrunners first competed against Chaffey in 2002 and hold a 13-16-3 overall record against them. Desert has a 9-5-2 record against the Panthers in Palm Desert. The Roadrunners split the season series in 2023 with each team grabbing a win at home.

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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.