Despite a strong showing in the second half, College of the Canyons men’s soccer dropped a 1-0 contest to visiting El Camino College on Tuesday night.

The first half was about survival for the Cougars (2-8), as El Camino (5-4-2) was on the offensive from the first whistle. Three minutes in, COC goalkeeper Gabriel Ochoa made a diving save, his first of three in the half.

At the 38-minute mark, midfielder Byron Perez made an over the shoulder kick save on the goal line, preserving the scoreless tie. The defense held strong through the 34-minute mark as Ochoa collected his second and third save of the half.

The Cougars first offensive threat came at the 32-minute mark as sophomore Joshua Ausherman took a cross and unleashed a one-timer that sailed over the crossbar.

The best scoring opportunity of the half for Canyons came at the 20-minute mark, but was negated by an offside call.

With 12 minutes left in the half, Cougar midfielder Aaron Winsick received a yellow card just outside the box and the ensuing free kick netted the first and only goal of the half, off the right foot of Warrior Brian Burrell.

The second half was completely different for the Cougars, as they were on the offensive throughout the remainder of the game. At the 37-minute mark, COC’s Tyler Jovel took a free kick from just outside the box which was blocked. His ensuing attempt was also blocked resulting in a corner for the Cougars. Four minutes later, Christian Arguello took a cross but his flying attempt sailed over the bar.

The Cougars continued with their offensive pressure at the 26-minute mark as Iban Alaniz took a corner that Wyatt Barstow-Vradenburg headed over the bar. One minute later, Cesar Dominguez found some free space but his shot went wide.

With 20 minutes left in the half, Jesus Ocampo found space just outside the box but his shot sailed just over the bar.

The Cougars last real scoring chance came with under two minutes left when Jovel sent a shot from the box high over the bar.

Here’s the box score.

Canyons drops to 2-8 on the season and will return to action on Friday, Oct. 6, when the Cougars host L.A. Mission College. That match is set for a 2 p.m. start.

Stay up to date on all this season’s action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

—Photo credit Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information