It was an early season gut check time for the San Bernardino Valley College men's soccer team Friday night.
Having controlled much of the action, and dominating on the shot clock, the Wolverines found themselves down one thanks to a pair of goals about five minutes apart early in the second half.
But some formation changes, and a continued pressure helped the Wolverines claw back the equalizer and then hang on for a 2-2 draw with Antelope Valley in the second half of a double header between the two schools. Antelope Valley won the battle of the women's teams 2-0 earlier in the evening.
SBVC looked firmly in control the first half. They had the first three shots of the game, scoring on their third opportunity in the 11th minute. Eric Ramos picked up the ball down the left wing and flung a low crossing ball into the area where Josiah Paez was on the end of the pass, guiding the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead SBVC would hold until the half.
But the Mauraders took the lead thanks to a pair of goals about five minutes apart early in the second half. Omar Sosa tied the game in the 52nd minute, running onto a long throw from Kaleb Stokes and heading it into the net. Then, in the 57th minute, Hugo Santana finished off a pass from Nathaniel Cobb to give AVC a 2-1 lead.
After a formation change, the Wolverines took control again. And again, it was Ramos who set up the goal. He launced a high shot on goal from about 35 yards out, and AVC goalkeeper Oscar Flores knocked the ball down, but could not control the rebound. Abram Arujo was there to pounce on the loose ball, knocking it in the net to tie the game.
SBVC poured it on from there, firing 18 of its 26 shots in the game in the second half. Flores stopped nine of the 10 that were on goal for AVC. Starting goalkeeper Javier Ruiz Godinez made four saves in the first half for the Mauraders. Matthew Guzman went the distance for SBVC, recording one save, while AVC only had five total shots.