COD (2-4) put together a solid effort against the Taft Cougars (3-3-2), but two early goals proved to be the difference as the Roadrunners fell to Taft, 3-1.

The Cougars had a goal in the 15th minute that snuck past the Desert sophomore starting goal keeper Marqisha Zamudio-Ontiveros (Thermal Coachella Valley) in the lower left hand corner, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

In the 26th minute, a deflection off of Roadrunners freshman defender Andrea Lopez-Galvan (Thermal Desert Mirage) trying to make a play, unfortunately ended up at the feet of a Taft forward, which led to the second goal for the visitors.

The two goal lead would hold, even though the Desert offense pushed four of their eleven total shots in on the first half. Zamudio-Ontiveros truly helped keep the Roadrunners in the game, making impressive save after impressive save.

In the 74th minute, the Cougars added a third goal, but Desert responded immediately. As Zamudio-Ontiveros lobbed a goal kick right to sophomore midfielder April Contreras (Palm Desert H.S.) who sped past the last Taft defender and got out on a breakaway, rifling a shot into the back of the net in the 75th minute.

The next game for Desert is on Friday, September 27 at the LA Valley Monarchs of Valley Glen at 1p. College of the Desert has played the Monarchs only once in program history, at a neutral site in 2008, where the Roadrunners fell, 2-1. The next home game for Desert is in 10 days, Friday, October 4 at 4p, when they host the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles of Menifee. The Roadrunners have a 5-26-5 record overall against the Eagles, including a 4-14-1 record in Palm Desert. In 2018, Desert tied on the road, 1-1 and won at home 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 provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com)