Women’s soccer tripped up by Bear Cubs at home

City College falls to 2-1 on the season

By Lucas Almeida
The Guardsman

It only took two minutes for women’s soccer to be tripped up by last year’s No.1 team in California.

On Sept 9., the Rams were handed their first loss of the 2011 season, never recovering, as they fell against Santa Rosa Junior College, 3-1.

With an early goal, Santa Rosa showed why they were last year’s Northern California Champions when sophomore forward Cara Curtin scored in the first two minutes.

Rams head coach Gabe Saucedo knew it would be a tough match-up against the Bear Cubs.

“Santa Rosa was a tough team, I thought we came out a little bit shaky and we allowed some soft goals but by the end of the second-half we stepped it up a bit” Saucedo said.

Even though it was a road game for Santa Rosa, they played aggressively and players from both teams became irritated with the number of fouls.

City College sophomore midfielder Yvette Flores said she thought the referee was very confused and did not take authority of the game.

“I think he was very confused and passive in his (officiating). He pulled out the book and couldn’t decide who’d committed the foul.” Flores said.

As the game continued in the 22nd minute, the Rams had a chance to tie the game. Freshman forward Stephanie Barragan took a rebound in front of the goal but her shot was too high sailing out of bounds.

In the 32nd minute, Curtin scored her second goal sneaking behind City College’s defense.

City College came back to the game with a different attitude in the second-half attacking more precisely and pressuring Santa Rosa’s defenders.

Two minutes into the second-half, City College had an early chance to score. After a cross in the area, freshman forward Barragan took a powerless shot in front of Santa Rosa’s goalkeeper.

Curtin sealed the team’s win with her first hat trick of the season scoring in the 60th minute. She was in the right spot to take the rebound and just put the ball in the back of the net after an incomplete clearance in the box.

Minutes before the final whistle, sophomore forward Tera Piserchio scored the Rams’ only goal giving final numbers to the match.

Even though they lost, Piserchio said Santa Rosa had a tough defense and it was a big challenge to play against them.

“Their defense was pretty good. We had our chances but we just didn’t finish them, we didn’t capitalized on those. “ Piserchio said. “I think this game was a big challenge for us, preparing us to get even better. We put up a good fight but it’s going to teach us, we’re going to watch the film and learn from it and hopefully get better.”

Saucedo said he thought his team improved in the second half.

“I was proud of the effort, specially in the second-half but now we just got to get better as a team” said Saucedo.

The Rams take a road trip to face Mission College in their next match-up on Sept. 20. Kickoff will start at 4 p.m.