BAKERSFIELD, CA –Sophomore Angel Sandoval's hat trick helped the Bakersfield College men's soccer team defeat the visiting College of the Canyons Cougars on Tuesday afternoon at home in the first conference match up of the season. COC had size on their side but in the end, BC won, 4-2.

Sandoval started the scoring drive, grabbing an early goal from inside the box to the left in the sixth minute. The next 39 minutes stayed relatively quiet and despite being up a goal and taking more shots on goal, Bakersfield spent a most of the half defending their side from the Cougars.  

Into the second half and Canyons tied the game at the 55^th minute (1-1). Bakersfield received another chance at a goal from Anthony Miron, who completed the penalty kicked in the 61^st minute to give the Gades a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, two minutes later COC scored another goal and tied the match once more. The Renegades did not want to end the game tied and took four shots on goal before finding the back of the net. In the 84^th minute, Sandoval ran full speed to quickly kick the ball right in the corner giving the team a 3-2 lead and then in the final minute, the sophomore got his first hat trick of the season at the final minute of regular time giving Bakersfield the insurance lead, 4-2.  

Goalkeeper Victor Melendez tallied four saves in the game.

With the win, the Renegades move to 1-0 in conference and 4-6-3 on the season. Up next, they will head out for a road match at Citrus next Tuesday, Oct. 18th and return home next Friday, October 21st.

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