College of the Canyons sophomore midfielder Crystal Sanchez goes for the ball during the first half of the Cougars’ match vs. No. 4 state-ranked Fresno City College. Jacob Velarde/COC Sports Information.

By Andrew Hamad/COC Sports Information

College of the Canyons’ women’s soccer team played to a 1-1 draw vs. No. 4 state-ranked Fresno City College on Friday, with the Cougars scoring first but unable to hold on to the early advantage.

Canyons (2-6-1) jumped out early by scoring just eight minutes into the game on an unassisted goal from sophomore midfielder Crystal Sanchez. The goal was her second of the season.

Fresno City (7-1-3) was quick to fire back, however, with Taylor Alkire finding the equalizer for the Rams in the 15th minute to knot things up at 1-1.

There wouldn’t be any scoring after that, but the action certainly didn’t slow down.

Fresno recorded 23 shots in the game, with nine finding their way to COC goalkeeper Ana Spross. The freshman goalkeeper recorded eight saves in the game to help Canyons get the draw.

Canyons ended the match with seven shots, six of which were on goal. Sanchez led the attack with two shots on goal, while Giselle Alvarado, Alexa Thornblad, Kylia Bradford and Dani Yanez helped keep the pressure on with their own shots to the net.

Fresno entered the game as the No. 4 ranked team in the state according to the most recent California Community College Sports Information Association poll. Canyons is currently unranked.

The draw also snapped a two-game skid in which COC dropped home matches to No. 1 state-ranked Cerritos College and No. 20 ranked Santa Barbara City College.

Here’s the box score, and here are more game photos.

The Lady Cougars will have two more matches remaining in the homestand. The second of which vs. Antelope Valley College on Oct. 9, will also represent the start of Western State Conference play.

Up next, the Lady Cougars will host Allan Hancock College in the final non-conference match of the season at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2.

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

— Photos by Jacob Velarde/COC Sports Information