Oxnard, the underdog of the Western State Conference is steadily improving.

They proved this when they tied powerhouse Santa Barbara City College on Friday.

The final score was 2-2 and proved Oxnard can hang with the best. Santa Barbara is the number two team in their conference.

Oxnard coach Ross Greaney felt his team showed great maturity in their game against Santa Barbara.

“Everyone is adjusting to life as a collegiate soccer player and it is showing on the field,” said Greaney about his team’s improvement.

In the game against Santa Barbara, the Condor’s overcame the odds when one of their players got a red card, which is an automatic ejection from the game.

This left Oxnard a goal down and a player short to a strong Santa Barbara team.

Even with a player missing the Condors where able to play Santa Barbara close the whole game according to Greaney.

His team was able to comeback and tie Santa Barbara with goals from both Dan Ketchum and Martin Mendez.

“It was an even game for the whole game, which is a tribute to the guys’ character,” said Greaney after the tie.

Even though Oxnard has been able to tie some top teams, they were winless throughout the preseason and conference play. But on Oct. 7, Oxnard was able to get their first win in a 1-0 shutout of College of the Canyons.

The lone goal in that game came from Ricky Ortega with help from Gabe Chavez.

On Oct. 11 the Condors were able to tie Citrus College 1-1. Luis Navarro scored the only goal for Oxnard.

Oxnard has shown they have improved in conference play.

They have only lost one game in conference and that was to first place Allen Hancock College, in a close 1-0 game.

They have also been able to tie tough teams in conference play, like 2004 WSC champs Moorpark College.