APTOS >> Junior Jesus Segura followed up a deflected free kick from Raymond Mata in the 35th minute, and the Pajaro Valley High boys soccer team earned a 1-1 draw with crosstown rival Watsonville, one of the Central Coast Section’s most storied programs, on Tuesday night.

Watsonville took the lead in the seventh minute, when junior Anthony Guido gathered a ball cleared by the Grizzlies and dribbled into the penalty box for a successful shot on goal.

“We played hard, and they played hard, too,” said Roland Hedgpeth, the Wildcatz’s legendary head coach. “We just couldn’t get the last touch in.”

The contest, scheduled to take place at Watsonville, was moved to Cabrillo College since the Wildcatz are undergoing a stadium renovation. A hearty crowd showed up to cheer on the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division foes.

“It was unfortunate for us,” Grizzlies coach Cesar Rojas said. “We had a couple of opportunities that we couldn’t capitalize on. It was a great game, an intense game, like always, and a great crowd. Fans were engaged. We really wanted to win the game. It was a very intense game. we just couldn’t get it in the net.”

Junior goalie Adrian Fernandez made six saves for the Wildcatz (3-2-6, 2-0-2), a 12-time CCS champion who appears to be turning the corner after enduring a rough past two seasons.

Grizzlies goalie Luis Telles Mejia, one of just two seniors on the team, made 10 saves. Mejia was injured in a collision on a Watsonville attack in the 50th minute, but refused to come out of the game. It was a decision that speaks to the rivalry.

The rebuilding Grizzlies (0-7-5, 0-2-4), two years removed from an appearance in the CCS Division II final, are still seeking their first win of the season.

Rojas said both Pajaro Valley and Watsonville have bright futures on the soccer pitch.

Rojas kicked seven seniors off of his team earlier this season for lacking discipline, which forced him to pull up seven freshmen.

“It seems like they’re starting to get the pace of the season,” he said.

Still, they’re waiting for win No. 1.

The coach keeps reminding his young squad to embrace the process. He knows they’ll be a more formidable opponent in a year or two.

Rojas gave post-match kudos to his only other senior, left back Oscar Lopez, and well as two freshmen, fullback Emmaunuel Perez and forward Edwin Perez.

Hedgpeth was pleased to have junior Jose Ortiz in the lineup, and said his center forward played a great game. Ortiz, who has missed time this season with a pulled muscle, has battled injuries on and off for the past two seasons.

Watsonville plays at Stevenson (3-6-3, 1-2-2) in Pebble Beach on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Pajaro alley has a bye on Thursday and returns to action against visiting Rancho San Juan (3-7-1, 0-3-1) on Monday at 3 p.m.