Spartans Tie Conference Leading Coyotes

Heading into the last scheduled conference game for the MiraCosta men's soccer team the goal was to get revenge for an earlier 0-1 loss earlier in the season.  Although the Spartans didn't get the win, they did earn a draw in the 1-1 final score against conference leading Cuyamaca College. The Spartans' season was complicated with multiple injuries but team kept their focus and continued to compete with great effort and respect for the opportunity each time they took the field.  

The game started with Cuyamaca taking control early, keeping possession and creating a few early opportunities to score.  In the 20th minute the Coyotes scored a header off a cross from the left side of the field.  Despite the goal, the Spartans didn't hang their heads, instead they regrouped and created a few opportunities for themselves.  Late in the first half a MiraCosta corner kick led to a Cuyamaca handball in the box.  Jose Aguirre stepped up to the moment and scored the penalty kick to even the score at 1-1.

In the second half both teams had chances to score. The Coyotes used multiple throw-ins to take advantage of a long thrower that gave them some quality chances.  The Spartan defense of Adrian Valencia (goalie), Ricardo Acosta, Vance Bartelt, and Liam Filler refused to give up another goal.  Despite shifting to a defensive formation, MiraCosta had a few more chances to score.  Strong play by Aguirre, David Guzman, Bryan Sahagun, David Garcia, Mikey Aceves, and George Silva kept the pressure on Cuyamaca, but couldn't find the game winning goal. 

The Spartans finish conference 4-3-5, with a strong foundation of freshman players that give any MiraCosta fan something to look forward to in the Fall of 2022.