COD (4-2-2; 2-0-2) had their hands full from the opening kick with the first place Southwestern Jaguars from Chula Vista (3-7-1; 3-1-1), with the Roadrunners having to come from behind to tie the game, 2-2.

The Jaguars struck first in the 21st minute as they took advantage of a direct corner kick to take a 1-0 lead. Even though the Desert offense continued to swarm throughout the first half, taking 10 of their 32 total shots in the first half, both teams would retreat to their benches with Southwestern holding a 1-0 lead at the half.

The Jaguars took, what appeared to be, a commanding lead in what was turning into a defensive stalemate, when they scored their second goal in the 61st minute.

Moments later, in the 63rd minute, the Roadrunners would get on the board as freshman forward Alejandro Pimentel (Thermal Desert Mirage) rocketed a shot past the keeper, sending the large home crowd into a frenzy and breaking some of the spirit of Southwestern, even though they held a one goal advantage, 2-1.

Desert found their niche offensively as they attacked the net, collecting six of their seven corner kicks in the second half. Then in the 80th minute the tide turned as freshman midfielder Jesus Gutierrez (Thermal Desert Mirage) found Pimentel in front of the net and he rifled a shot past the diving Jaguars keeper to equalize the match, 2-2.

As hard as tying the game was, the work really began in the final 10 minutes after the Roadrunners tied the game. Freshman keeper Uriel Lopez (Palm Desert H.S.) along with his strong defense led by sophomores Armando Rivera (Thermal Desert Mirage), Christian Herrera (La Quinta H.S.) and Jesus Rubio (Thermal Desert Mirage) were able to keep Southwestern off of the scoreboard amidst the Jaguars offensive barrage.

The next game for Desert is on the road, when they continue Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play, traveling to the San Diego City Knights on Friday, September 28, game starts at 3 p.m. The next home game for Desert is 7 days away, when they host the San Bernardino Valley Wolverines on Tuesday, October 2, game starts at 3 p.m.

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

Information provided by COD Sports Information. Story by COD Sports Information intern Ebony Macias.  Photo by COD Sports Information assistant Ashtyn Lyneis.