Panthers Rally Late to Earn 2-2 Draw with Santa Barbara

The Chaffey College men's soccer team showed resilience in its toughest test of the season, battling back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with Santa Barbara City College. The Panthers struck twice in the final stretch to keep their undefeated start intact.

The Vaqueros struck quickly with goals in the 15^th and 17^th minutes to build a 2-0 advantage. Chaffey pressed throughout the first half but couldn't break through before the interval, heading into the half trailing by two.

The Panthers kept the pressure on in the second half and finally broke through in the 81^st minute when Ernesto De Lara finished a set up by Adrien Vazquez. Just two minutes later, Ryan Pruitt equalized, burying the delivery from Vazquez to level the match at 2-2.

Vazquez played a key role in the comeback with two assists, while De Lara and Pruitt provided the finishing touches. Diego Garcia and Julio Martinez each added shots on goal as Chaffey surged forward in the closing stages.

Goalkeeper Christian Hernandez faced eight total shots on target and made two key saves. Hernandez and the backline, Armando Diaz, Aiden Cardenas, Pruitt, Tauj Richardson, and Alberto Gomez, regrouped after the early setback and kept the Vaqueros off the board for the final 74 minutes.

Chaffey finished with eight shots on target and showed their ability to respond under pressure. The tie brings the Panthers' record to 3-0-1 as they look to keep the pace and continue to build on their early success.

The Panthers will now prepare to host Taft College on Tuesday, September 9, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.