Glendora, CA (Men’s Soccer) -- The Citrus College men’s soccer team was handed its third straight loss this week, due in part to an “own goal” in the 45th minute of the first half. Instead of possibly settling for a 1-1 tie, the Fighting Owls were relegated to a 3-1 loss to Riverside City College.
The first half would prove to be a back and forth affair. Both Citrus and Riverside traded shots, with the Owls holding a slight 8-7 advantage. Although both teams had their fair share of shots at the goal, it was Citrus who would be responsible for both goals in the first half for both teams.
Citrus got on the board first when a Riverside misplay in the midfield led to a two on one offensive advantage for the Fighting Owls. Up a man, sophomore Eddie Gutierrez found sophomore Yves Tanonko who promptly buried the ball in the back of the net to give Citrus a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.
Holding a slim goal advantage Citrus shot themselves in the foot during stoppage time in the first half, when freshman Jahan Mossiah accidentally headed the ball into the Citrus goal while trying to clear a Riverside cross. The goal would tie up the game going into half-time and ultimately be the demise for the Fighting Owls.
With the game tied up at 1-1 Riverside went on the offensive in the second half. The Tigers would out-shoot the Owls 11-3 in the second half alone, and four corner kicks to Citrus’ three. All of that aggressive offensive play would pay off in the 79th minute when Tony Magana found himself with the ball at his feet, and made Citrus pay drilling the ball into the Citrus goal and giving Riverside its 2-1 advantage. RCC’s third and final goal would come when the game was well over with just seconds left in stoppage time.
With the loss Citrus’ falls to 3-3-1 on the season while, Riverside improves to 7-1. Citrus will try and snap their three game losing when they begin their Western State Conference schedule on Tuesday as they play host to Oxnard College. Game-time is set for 4:00 PM.
Box Score