The Santa Rosa Junior College’s men’s soccer team snatched a draw against Folsom Lake College with a strong willed performance to move 2-2-1 in conference play Oct. 18.
“We own-goaled, so it’s kind of frustrating, but they were kind of first to the ball a little bit and the best part of that game was the last 15,” said SRJC head coach Marty Kinahan. “You know, it was up and down, up and down and we created a good chance and my assistant coach made a great call [to send Joseangel Carrillo-Contreras] and he ended up scoring, he’s great.”
Going into the match, the Bear Cubs looked to carry the momentum from their last match, a win against Cosumnes River College. Folsom Lake, on the other hand, was looking for a win after a draw against Modesto College.
The match was highly contested, as the opening exchanges saw both teams with a compact midfield. The majority of the first half was played in the middle of the park, with SRJC threatening to score, placing a few shots wide of the target.
As the half progressed and Folsom Lake found their rhythm, goalkeeper Abel Cavillo was forced into multiple smart saves.
Folsom Lake’s high line and intense pressure forced errors out of Santa Rosa’s midfield and defense, which turned the match into a scrappy affair. As the end of the half approached, both teams had amazing chances at scoring, as Bear Cubs’ defender Jackson Radar hit the crossbar, and Folsom Lake struck wide of the target. The half ended 0-0.
The second 45 saw the game open up more, as the Hawks started on the front foot, pinning Santa Rosa back in their own half. The Bear Cubs sustained pressure, and were forced into long balls out the back to relieve it, but eventually, a neat cutback saw an own goal go in, giving Folsom Lake the advantage.
Going down 1-nil reinvigorated the Bear Cubs, as they searched for an equalizer. Folsom Lake defended well against the Bear Cubs, resorting to time wasting tactics to maintain their slim lead. An injury to forward Jasveer Dadlani Garcias only added to the frustration.
A majority of Santa Rosa’s clear cut chances came from set pieces, which applied pressure on the Hawks. In the latter stages of the second half, a corner was swung in, and met by Bear Cubs’ defender Joseangel Carrillo-Contreras, settling the score. Despite the Bear Cubs’ effort to find a winner, the match ended 1-1.
“This team’s a bunch of dogs, you know, we’re young, we’re developing,” Carrillo-Contreras said. “They showed our grit, and the mentality of fighting to the end you know, and we showcased it today.”
The Bear Cubs will be back in action Oct. 25 at Las Positas.
