By Ryan Kuhn
The Guardsman
The three goals scored early in the first half were all it took for women’s soccer to stay atop the Coast Conference standings, defeating Cañada College 3-0, on Oct. 1.
For the fifth time this season the Rams shut out their opponent, improving their record to 6-1-2 (2-0-2), one win more than all of last year.
Head coach Gabe Saucedo knows the key to this season’s success.
“We have talent and that’s important,” Saucedo said. “But they also have desire and hustle. They are very committed and have an outstanding work rate.”
The Rams got out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by forwards Tera Piserchio and Alex Montano.
Piserchio, a freshman defender from College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, leads the team with six goals this season.
As the first half was winding down, City College got their final goal on a rebound by Gelila Mengistu, who headed it past the Colts’ goal keeper.
During halftime, Saucedo told his team that they could not let up.
“Getting out to a 3-0 lead was so important,” Saucedo said. “During halftime we talked about defense and knew they would come out strong.”
With five of the eight shots on goal coming in the second half for Cañada, Rams goal keeper Jhosselyn Alvarenga kept her team on top finishing with two big saves, both coming in the second half.
Alvarenga has a total of 15 saves on the year and knows how important her role is.
“My job is to not let them shoot or get any good shots,” Alvarenga said.
The defense has been a big part of the Rams success this season; they’ve held opponents to only six goals all year.
Showing vast improvement between this year and last, not only can City College see it, but their opponents as well.
“This is the best City team they have ever had,” said Cañada head coach Kurt Delvin. “They are a lot more athletic and a lot more talented.”
Focusing on defense and vastly outscoring their opponents, the team is focused on the possibility of a conference championship.
“A conference championship is a goal but there are steps to get there,” Saucedo said. “We measure our success on improvement, friendship and commitment. A title would just be the icing on the cake.”
The Rams play their next game on Friday, Oct 8 as they host Mission College who is winless this year. Kick off is at 1 p.m.
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