The COM Men's Soccer Team knew their first win was coming, it was only a matter of time. Tied at the half with Siskiyous on Monday, the Mariners netted twice in the second half to grab their first win by a score of 2-0. Francesco Coccaro scored both goals for College of Marin who look to build momentum heading into the latter half of their non-conference schedule.
The first half was a back and forth affair with neither team the dominant side. Siskiyous was content to lob long balls over the top to their speedy strikers, but the Marin defense did an excellent job of thwarting the strategy, which prevented any meaningful shots on goal. On the offensive side the ball, the midfield did a great job of getting the ball into dangerous areas, however the COM forwards could not beat the Siskiyous keeper.
The second half started much like the first, with chances both ways, but still no goals. That changed in the 64th minute as Cerbelio Rodas chipped a ball over the backline to Francesco Coccaro in the right channel who unleashed a powerful shot past the Siskiyous keeper for a 1-0 lead. He doubled the advantage six minutes later after a handball in the box gave the Mariners a penalty shot. He beat the keeper high and to the right to give the Mariners a two goal advantage with twenty minutes remaining.
Though Siskiyous kept the pressure up, they could not put the ball past Marin keeper William Finnie, and time expired as COM picked up their first win of the season.
Coccaro had both Marin goals tying him for the team lead with three, while Cerbelio Rodas picked up his second assist of the season. Finnie had nine saves in a shutout, his first of the season.
Coach Morrison was pleased with the result, "This was a game that was very wide open in the first half. Both teams tested each other's goalkeepers which kept things interesting. In the second half we were able to take a bit more control and became more settled after the first goal." On the busy schedule Morrison said, "After another short turnaround the group responded with a solid display. It is still early on in the season and for many it is their first experience at this level and playing a high volume of games in such a short window. We will keep working and getting better at every opportunity between days off, training and games."
The Mariners only have a single day of rest before two road games this week, Wednesday, September 14th at Monterey and Friday, September 16th at Skyline College.