As the defending CIF-Southern Section Division II champions, Saugus looked like it would protect its lead and win.

But nobody told Canyon.

Cowboys junior Malaya Cabrera scored two second-half goals and Canyon overcame a dominant performance by the Centurions to win 2-1 on Monday at Harry Welch Stadium, handing the Saugus only its second loss of the season.
It was a makeup game from last week.

"If you can get beat that badly and lose the first 40 minutes that badly and still only be down 1-0, then you know there are some things going right for you," said Cowboys head coach Eric White. "In all fairness, a game like that, nine times out of 10 most coaches and players will tell you, that's a 3-0, 4-0 half."

Saugus (10-2-3, 2-1-0) outshot Canyon (13-2-4, 2-1-0) 21-4 in the game, but could not find the back of the net early on.

Ten minutes in, Centurion Shasta Fisher and teammate Ysabel Padron each hit the crossbar on consecutive attempts.

But in the 21st minute, Saugus senior Jamie Molacek put her team on the board with a perfectly placed shot from 20 yards out.

"They didn't play great soccer, they played amazing soccer," said Saugus head coach Natalie Helgeson of her team. "But they also have to finish their opportunities in front of the net. ... Coaches, they can get mad every time they lose or they are only happy if they win, but you know what, I am so happy with the growth and what I saw in the first half. Amazing."

After halftime, White moved another player up top to attack and the Cowboys found a way to clog the passing lanes.

But most importantly, they capitalized when it mattered the most.

In the 54th minute, Cabrera sent a shot far post from outside the box to tie the score at 1-1.

Seven minutes later, she caught the defense out of position on a free kick and sent a shot through the hands of Saugus goalkeeper Kelly Parker.

"I was trying to put my team back into it, and getting that first goal really picked our heads up," Cabrera said. "The second goal, the defense wasn't set fast enough. I read it quickly because they were all scrambling around."

For the next 20 minutes, Canyon withstood an offensive onslaught to secure the win.

Cowboy goalkeeper Alex Krall had six saves on the night and Parker had two.

"That's why I love this game," White said. "Anything can happen in soccer."