PHOTOS: Late goal helps Fullerton earn tie with Cypress in conference showdown

Teammates rush Cesar Marquez after his goal in 90th minute gave Fullerton College a 1-1 tie with rival Cypress. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone).

The old sports adage that a tie is like kissing your sister does not apply to soccer.

There are times when a tie is like a dream come true.

Such was the case Friday night on Fullerton College’s Hal Sherbeck Field when the Orange Empire Conferences only two unbeaten teams, district rivals Cypress and the Fullerton Hornets battled to an energy-draining 1-1 draw.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Fullerton’s Cesar Marquez boots a laser through a bevy of Cypress defenders for the goal that gave the Hornets a 1-1 tie with the Chargers.

Fullerton’s Hayden Kenny directs ball away from a Cypress defender.

Fullerton’s Greg Avila, in his 9th season with the Hornets, earned his 100th coaching victory Oct. 18 when the Hornets beat Golden West 3-1.

Cypress’s Luis Cervantes and Fullerton’s Jacob Ponce (18) joust for the ball.

Cypress goalie Daniel Zamsripa (1) corrals the ball in front of Fullerton’s Hayden Kenny.

Jhohanario Vega of Cypress beats a Fullerton defender to the ball.

Fullerton’s Cisco Torres (5) and Cypress player collide vying for ball.

Fullerton’s Jacob Ponce beats Cypress’s Kieber Aran to the ball.

Fullerton’s David Garcia (24) directs the ball away from Cypress’s Luis Cervantes.

Cypress’s Frank Toya avoids a tackle by Fullerton’s Cesar Marquez.

The game was scoreless until the 67th minute when Angel Cristobal, on an assist from Jhonkario Vega, slipped a shot past the Fullerton goalie with a 1-0 advantage for Cypress.

And, although Fullerton would prevail on shots, 19-9, and corners, 7-2, it seemed this was a night when the ball was not going to find the back of the net.

That frustration ended with mere seconds to play when Fullerton’s Cesar Marquez sent a 25-yard laser past an assortment of Cypress defenders and tied the score at 1.

The significance of the goal was apparent in the disbelief on both teams, joy for the Hornets, devastation for the Chargers.

The goal gave Fullerton an unexpected point for a tie and took two anticipated points away from the Chargers for a win that never materialized (in soccer, teams earn three points for a win and one point for a tie.)

Although it is still too early to get excited about a successful defense of its 2023 OEC title, the tie enabled Fullerton (10-3-3, 6-0-2, 20 points) to maintain a 6-point advantage over second place Cypress (6-3-6, 3-0-5, 14 points) and Santa Ana (6-5-3, 4-2-2, 14 points).

—Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone