Sergio Gonzalez puts a corner kick in play. Image: Molly Montelly
Sergio Gonzalez puts a corner kick in play. Image: Molly Montelly

Men's Soccer: Late Goal Is Equalizer For Owls

Citrus Men's Soccer had a busy couple of days as they played a pair of conference matches on back to back days, due to a rescheduled match. The Owls played at Glendale on Tuesday, and then hosted Bakersfield on Wednesday in a game that was rescheduled due to unforeseen transportation issues last week. 

Tuesday's road game against Glendale went to the home team, as the Owls returned home with a 2-0 loss. But Wednesday went slightly better, with the Owls forcing a late tie against Bakersfield after a barrage of attacks from the Owl offense.

In the Bakersfield game, both teams went scoreless throughout the first 80 minutes of the 90 minute match. That's when Bakersfield took first blood on a 25 yard rocket by Asier De Luz that found the upper V, out of reach of the Citrus keeper. Citrus would immediately turn up the intensity, taking multiple shots on gold over the next 9 minutes, until the Bakersfield defense finally cracked, allowing an own goal after several rebounded shots by the determined Owls. 

Citrus would hang tough on defense for the last minute to keep the game tied 1-1. 

The Owls move to 1-1-2 in the Western State Conference South, which is up for grabs by at least 3 of the 5 teams in the small conference. A couple of wins to close out conference play is all it would take to force current leader, Glendale into a 'must win-out' scenario. With 3 matches remaining in conference play, the Owls have the opportunity to control their own destiny, seeing as how they play Glendale in the last WSC match of 2019. 

Citrus hits the road on Friday when they travel to Canyons for a 3:00 match. 

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