COD Men’s Soccer makes PK stand, shuts out Renegades, 1-0

COD (2-1) celebrated their 2019 home opener by grabbing their second win, making a penalty kick in the 9th minute stand as they held their own in a night time match that was too hot to handle, knocking off the Bakersfield Renegades (1-1), 1-0.

Sophomore goal keeper Danny Negrete (Thermal Desert Mirage) started for the first time this season, posting his first clean sheet, while facing 14 shots, five on goal, making some huge saves late in the contest to save the game.

The Roadrunners moved the contest from an afternoon tilt, to a night game at the Boone Football Field. While the temperatures were only slightly cooler, the action on the field was much hotter, as both teams were issued a combined eight yellow cards.

While neither of these teams had played before in program history, they battled like it was an annual contest between an established Renegades program and an up-and-coming Desert team. The contest enthralled the assembled crowd and making for a fun way for the home fans to begin the 2019 season.

In the 9th minute, sophomore midfielder Lucas Rosales (La Quinta H.S.) was fouled hard, just to the left of the goal mouth, but inside of the goal box, as the official pointed towards the penalty kick circle, the home crowd let out a cheer. Moments later, Rosales converted that opportunity into the lower right corner of the net, giving the Roadrunners a 1-0 advantage.

The defense, led by freshman Ivan Roman (Rancho Mirage H.S.) and freshman Vincenzo Costaglolia (Palm Springs H.S.) closed down every opportunity Bakersfield tried to expose, but it wasn't without its challenges. In one instance, two Roadrunners ran into one another going for the ball in the 18-yard box and another miscue put a ball just out of reach of a Renegades forward, but the Desert defense tightened things up to secure the win.

The next game for Desert is in one week, Friday, September 6 at the Mt. San Antonio College Invitational, where they will open up with a match against Fullerton College at 5p in scenic Walnut. The Roadrunners last played Fullerton in 2013, posting a 2-5-3 overall record against the Hornets, last defeating Fullerton in 2006. The next home game for Desert is Tuesday, September 17 at 4p, when they host the Cuyamaca Coyotes of El Cajon. The Roadrunners have an 8-17-5 record overall against the Coyotes, last defeating Cuyamaca last season in Palm Desert, 1-0.

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

Information, Story & Photo provided by COD Sports Information.