COD (5-2-4; 3-0-4) converted a penalty kick opportunity in the first half and used their shut down defense led by starting keeper Uriel Lopez to roll up the MiraCosta Spartans of Oceanside (2-8-1; 2-4-1), 3-0.

The Roadrunners would get onto the scoreboard first in the 12th minute, when freshman midfielder Lucas Rosales (La Quinta H.S.) was taken down hard in the goal box and awarded a penalty kick. After getting up and brushing himself off, he took the kick, stutter stepped and pounded a shot into the lower left corner, just past the outstretched hands of the Spartans keeper, to give Desert an early 1-0 advantage.

The home side would hold that lead into the halftime break and then in the 52nd minute, the Roadrunners would find the back of the net again. Sophomore defender Andrassy Teran (La Quinta H.S.) lifted a pass from the right side of the goal box and sophomore forward Luis Gastelum (Rancho Mirage H.S.) headed the ball into the middle of the net to give Desert a 2-0 lead.

In the 65th minute, sophomore forward Pablo Minero (Desert Hot Springs H.S.) received a pass from freshman midfielder Jesus Gutierrez (Thermal Desert Mirage) and Minero took off. Going on a great run up the right side of the pitch and then crossing just in time to poke a shot into the upper left corner of the net, giving the Roadrunners a nearly insurmountable 3-0 lead.

The next game for Desert is on the road, when they continue Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play, traveling to the Palomar Comets of San Marcos on Tuesday, October 9, game starts at 3 p.m. The next home game for Desert is 11 days away, when they host the Cuyamaca Coyotes of El Cajon on Tuesday, October 16, 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 & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by COD Sports Information assistant Ashtyn Lyneis.