Men’s soccer ends season with 3-1 win
Brahmas defeat Oxnard Condors
By Christian Castellanos Copy Editor
The Brahmas won their season finale with a 3-1 score against the Oxnard College Condors on Friday, Nov. 15. Their season record was 5-13.
For Head Coach Julio Castillo, it was a “well deserved win” for the team, which started two years ago after the program was shelved for 43 years.
“They worked hard. They gave everything they had for this program,” said Castillo, who mentioned the sophomores on the team. “It was a special day for them. I think they deserve it. They deserve to go out with a win.”
This marks the season finale for men’s soccer, which begins again in August 2025.
Their strategy, according to Castillo, was to play defensively and to create opportunities offensively against the Condors.
Assistant Coach Julian Lopez described the Brahmas strategy as parking the bus and playing counter. Parking the bus is a play which involves defending “without trying to attack, with almost all of the players on the team staying deep inside their own half of the field,” according the Cambridge Dictionary.
Forward Victor Cano felt better in this game than he did in the first game against the Condors.
For Cano, his mindset during the game was to “press hard” and keep pressing on Oxnard.
“When we played last time, every time we pressed they were a little scared,” said Cano, who scored twice in the first half and once more in the final minutes of the second half. “So if we played
it like we played the first time, we’d go down good.”
Goalkeeper Tony Ramirez was “ecstatic” and “over the moon” about the win.
“In my head, I don’t feel nothing but me and the ball,” said Ramirez, a civil engineering major who was able to block the Condors’ advances throughout the game. “ [And] trying to stay focused to give my team the best chance to win.”
Lopez, who has been coaching the Brahmas for two years, felt good about the game, and stated how the team stuck to the game plan and how it worked for them.
“There have been growing pains throughout the season,” Lopez said. “Overall the season wasn’t what we expected. We expected better, but at least we get to get this win at the end.”
During halftime, a sophomore night ceremony was held for those Brahmas who were graduating before the start of the new season in August.
“We just wanted to honor them today because it is a good group of kids,” said Castillo, who used the time to thank the outgoing sophomores for what they’ve done for the soccer program. “I was blessed to start the program with good, humble, hard working kids, and we wanted to make sure that they enjoy today.”
Cano, a sophomore and kinesiology major, felt good about the ceremony.
“I’m excited to transfer, get on with my life and do something else,” said Cano, who is looking to transfer close to home.
Castillo is looking forward to the next season and feels “lucky to be here and share this special time with these guys.”
Karla Delgado / Roundup News
Karla Villacorta / Roundup News
Abraham Elizalde / Roundup News
Pierce College goal keeper Tony Ramirez celebrates with the men’s soccer team in a win against Oxnard College at Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2024.
Moses Murga / Roundup News
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Editorial: From the desk of the Roundup
Spotlighting the Pierce College campus’ long, complex history
Each semester, thousands of students wander around Pierce College admiring the scenery, but many don’t know the history of the campus.
Advertising the college’s history by opening the archives, holding a history fair or providing a walking tour would make for a helpful way to educate current students about their school, as well as advertise the grounds to those interested in pursuing college.
Both Building 600 and the library display only a small portion of Pierce photography and memorabilia during those transitional years. The Roundup has access to decades worth of articles that could be used to build a comprehensive history of the school. The school should better advertise its history and the archives that are available.
Alongside transfer fairs and other events, Pierce should host a day commemorating its history. This day should be held around or on Sept.15, the anniversary of the school’s opening.
On Pierce’s birthday, those knowledgeable about the school’s history could set up
Initially named the “Clarence W. Pierce School of Agriculture” in 1947, the school started with 70 students and 18 staff, according to the Digital Public Library of America. Over the course of seven decades, the student body has grown to more than 20,000, according to Pierce’s official website. With such a massive spike in attendees, the grounds were bound to change drastically.
booths on the Mall. Students could learn interesting facts about their school, and ask questions.
Every student that attends the college brings a story. Famous (as well as infamous) figures such as Anton Ylechin, Bob Lazar and Mark Harmon attended Pierce.
Many students are unaware that the campus is home to a controversial historical monument known as “Old Trapper’s Lodge,” which depicts a racist caricature of a Native American. The college could have a photo display including The Roundup’s reporting on the offensive piece and its history at Pierce.
Beyond the notable people who have set foot on Pierce’s grounds, there are many
unappreciated oddities located at the school, ranging from the Evolution Walk in the Botanical Garden to the on-campus farm. Other colleges provide walking tours of their campuses. CSUN offers both in-person and virtual tours. Not only do they discuss their past during these guided walks, but also their plans for the future. Pierce could have more widely-available tours that touch on the college’s long history.
By emphasizing the rich past of the grounds, this would showcase how Pierce has become a well-developed community. This could be appealing for those looking to attend a new school, as well as those already enrolled.
A look into the archives: 70 years of the Roundup
On Nov. 20, 1991, the Roundup published Volume 75, No. 11.
Thirty-six demonstrators were arrested for trespassing into the Woodland Hills Marriott to protest California Gov. Pete Wilson’s veto of Assembly Bill 101. AB 101 would have made it illegal for housing and businesses to discriminate against people over their sexual orientation. Wilson claimed that he would sign the bill into law during his campaign, but ultimately decided against it.
The protestors, which included some of Pierce’s Lesbian and Gay Organization of Students (LAGOS), felt betrayed by the governor’s decision. After surrounding the hotel that Wilson was staying at, 36 individuals entered the hotel. More than 180 police officers surrounded the building, saying that the protestors were disturbing the peace.
A canned food and toy drive was planned to start on the following Monday at Pierce. The donations were to be delivered to the San Fernando Valley Salvation Army. The Associated Students Organization wanted to help their
community by supporting lower income people. The gifts were meant to be unwrapped and kept sealed according to ASO President Chandra Pesheck.
“Getting Out,” a play by Marsha Norman, was planned to be performed on Dec. 5 at Pierce’s Performing Arts Building. The play followed a woman readjusting to everyday life after being released from prison.
The Roundup commemorated the death of photojournalist Stacy Mason-Dyck, who died from cervical cancer on Oct. 27, 1991. News Editor Donn Christensen explained that Mason-Dyck was an eloquent woman who spent her life following her dreams. The passage ends with Christensen saying that he will miss his friend.
David Phoenix, the only learning specialist at Pierce at the time, provided services for 300 students with learning disabilities. Students with alexia, dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning disabilities could seek the aid of Phoenix during their time on campus.
An archived front page of the Roundup Volume 75, Number 11, published on Nov. 20, 1991, laid out in the newsroom.
Copy by Daisy Malone.
Should speeding cameras be installed near Pierce?
It’s time to improve traffic safety near campus
By Nathalie Herrera Reporter
Students arrive on campus and head to the parking lots, where they are dropped off or park their cars. Students driving or parents dropping off their kids ignoring the yield signs and speeding through the lot can cause a risk for student safety.
Implementing speed cameras near campus can help encourage safer driving, therefore increasing campus safety.
Speed cameras cause drivers to be more cautious and aware of their surroundings and speed
tickets can cause a loss of discounts and any cost reductions on auto insurance. This could act as a deterrent to reckless driving.
Speed cameras are also beneficial to the campus because they are able to catch drivers who are not following the speeding laws. They can create a sense of awareness as drivers will know that they will be caught breaking the law.
A study published by The National Library of Medicine showed positive results to having automatic photos and videos placed in school zones. According to the study, cameras were installed around four schools and resulted in motorist speed violations decreasing by half showing that installing speed
Cameras are not a solution
By Christian Castellanos Copy Editor
Car culture in Los Angeles presents plenty of issues for the average driver. Reckless driving is a prevalent problem in areas within a mile of college campuses. Pierce College has had accidents occuring in the same intersection in 2017, 2022 and 2024 open a discussion about how to deal with safety for drivers and pedestrians around campus. While driving around Pierce college is in itself risky, and can be costly to the average student, installing speed cameras is not the answer.
removed, T-bone accidents increased but other kinds of accidents had decreased, which suggests that adding speed cameras could do more harm than good.
“Some drivers will attempt to stop, accepting a higher risk of a non-angle accident like getting rear-ended, in order to avoid the expected fine,” Gallagher continued.
Speed cameras would not make the streets around Pierce any safer. There must be alternatives that create safer streets that also lessen traffic violations and accidents around campus.
Should Thanksgiving break be extended to a full week?
“I think so. I feel like it would give us a lot of time to visit family, if they’re far I feel like one day kind of is hard, especially if we want to like prep or go somewhere with our family.”
increase on insurance premium or having to pay for driving school in order to not have the speeding ticket on a driving record.
Allstate explains that receiving multiple traffic violations or
If there is no way to be caught for speeding, then drivers tend to not follow the laws accurately. This can lead to possible collisions and even fatalities if
Speeding cameras ultimately benefit the campus and students’ safety, because they encourage drivers to follow the law. Drivers are held accountable if they are going over the speed limit and are encouraged to be aware of their driving. Although the campus has signs saying to slow down and what the speed limit is, drivers often ignore those signs depending on if there is legal reinforcement or not.
In a ProPublica article by Emily Hopkins and Melissa Sanchez in 2022, red light camera enforcement affected both Black and Hispanic ZIP codes at twice the rate of white areas in Chicago between 2015 and 2019.
The tickets that are issued can then contribute to “thousands of vehicle impoundments, driver’s license suspensions and bankruptcies,” according to ProPublica.
In a 2023 Q&A with Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering Shima Hamidi by Stephanie Desmon, Hamidi found that wider lanes were more dangerous than narrower streets.
Sofia
Tobar - Psychology
“The reason is that wider lanes don’t give drivers more room for mistakes, they just make drivers drive faster,” Hamidi said.
One ticket can severely hurt a student financially, and Brahmas are already dealing with housing and food insecurity according to The Roundup. Speed cameras will only add to these anxieties.
The benefits of installing speed cameras are doubtful.
In an article written by Assistant Professor of Economics Justin Gallagher in 2018, a study found no evidence regarding the improvement of public safety as a result of red light cameras in Houston, Texas.
When the cameras were
According to Hamidi, solutions include more trees, more pedestrians, bike lanes and bikes on the street.
ProPublica also found that street infrastructure—the design of the road, population density and “calming measures,” such as pedestrian islands, concrete medians, and marked crosswalks—can encourage or discourage speeding.
Speed cameras would go against Pierce’s goal to “enhance its relationship with the community at large.” They might be a short term solution, but they will create long term issues for the community.
Guest speaker inspires students
LEFT: Presented by Communication Studies and Teacher Education, activist and social impact leader Tobias Tubbs speaks to students in Building 600 at Pierce College in Woodland HIlls, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2024. Tubbs was wrongfully charged for a crime he did not commit, and subsequently spent 27 years incarcerated in the California prison system.“Time is our most precious resource,” Tubbs said.
“I’d have to say, yeah, mainly because I’m used to the previous school system, and how we used to have a week off. I think it gives students a good amount of time to sort of relax and recover from the previous academic endeavors.”
Orion Faucher - Studio Arts
“I think we should get a full week. I think it would allow students to decompress and take some time off to spend time with their families.”
Evelia Gonzalez - Psychology
“I would say yes to that, because students may have to travel ahead of time just to get ahead for airplane tickets or car traffic, and at the same time, no, because I love school and I love to be over here.”
Eric
Sandoval - Business
Interviews by Alfonso Vargas
by Marzia Rankin
Photos
Moses Murga / Roundup News
Weather station celebrates 75-year anniversary
Representatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) honored the 75th anniversary of the Pierce College weather station on Nov.
14, celebrating the decades of climate information that it has provided. Speakers included Pierce President Ara Aguiar, Aracely Aguiar, Physics and Planetary Sciences Chair Travis
Orloff, NOAA representative Arial Cohen and National Weather Service representative Joe Sirard.
Copy by Delilah Brumer.
Film club shows ‘Parasite’
By Jonathan Wheelock Reporter
As the main room of the Great Hall darkened, around 40 students fell silent as they prepared to watch Bong Joon-ho’s critically acclaimed, dark comedy “Parasite.”
The Pierce Film Club held its final film showcase of their series “Mind Benders! Brain Breakers! And Fever Dreams!” by showing the critically acclaimed film “Parasite.” The showcase was held in the Great Hall on Monday, Nov. 18.
“It was something that kind of put the community together,” said Film Club Treasurer Alexis Porter. “By bringing AAPI Club, Film Club and the International Students Club together and kind of bringing that group together to have people have a platform to talk about their own experiences and how movies connect to them.”
Once the film finished, a panel made up of different experts and film enthusiasts included Media Arts and Cinema Professor Nora Sweeney and Psychology Professor Chadwick Snow.
Sweeney wasn’t sure if the movie would be as gripping as it was the
first time she saw it.
“I think it’s a movie that kind of depends on your first viewing in a way, like, not knowing what’s going to happen next,” Sweeney said.
The panel started with a member of the audience asking about the main theme of the movie: class.
Associate Cinema Professor and Film Club Adviser Ken Windrun is a fan of the movie.
“I really like what it has to say about social class,” Windrum said.
“About the high and the low, about the basement and the penthouse, so to speak, and it literally creates what you could call a spatial metaphor by showing them.”
Sweeney believes that the film highlights how people behave in a capitalistic society.
“I think the movie is about how ruthless people are encouraged to be when living under capitalism,” Sweeney said.
Film Club President Justin Bautista added to the discussion.
“It could take weeks of uninterrupted analysis to figure out every little bit in detail,” Bautista said. “That’s how good of a movie it was. That’s how well-written it was.”
The panel was about an hour long
Elizalde
Film Club president Justin Bautista speaks before the movie “Parasite” in a screening in the Great Hall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 18, 2024. and touched on topics such as class inequalities, capitalism, prejudice and discrimination.
“This is the kind of event that I love more than just about anything we do because you see a great movie and then you
talk about it,” Windrum said.
This screening of “Parasite” marked the final film screening for the Pierce Film Club of the semester. The Film Club will have a film festival on Dec. 5 in the Great Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Students are encouraged to submit up to two of their own films by Nov. 28. Each film must be 10 minutes or less to qualify and submissions are open to all LA County students.
Abraham
/ Roundup News
Karla Delgado / Roundup News
Arial Cohen, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, gives a speech during the 75th annivarsary celebration of Pierce College Weather Station at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2024.
Karla Delgado / Roundup News
Equipment that is used inside of the Pierce College Weather Station during the 75th annivarsary celebration of Pierce College Weather Station at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2024.
Honoring Pierce’s military veterans
By Ryan Kassebaum Reporter
Araffle, a prize wheel and people filled the Veterans’ Day Celebration held at the Veterans Resource Center Courtyard on Nov. 12 to show appreciation for military veterans and strengthen the Pierce College community.
Vice President of Student Services Jason Cifra believes events like these are necessary to celebrate, give thanks to veterans and commemorate the history of military work.
“The biggest takeaway is that our veteran students are here,” Cifra said. “We need to create a community for the veterans so that they feel welcome too and that there are resources for veterans. We support our veterans. We have services, and we have resources as well.”
Cifra believes the financial resource is the primary resource the college offers to veteran students. Accessing veteran benefits is the main priority, and having people available to talk and be reached out to is also important.
“To me, the big one is that veteran students have their financial resources squared away,” Cifra said.
Cifra accepts that Pierce has a ways to go in efforts to assist veterans, but he believes building community is the focus. However, Cifra notes that the school having a Veterans Resource Center is a major step in the right direction.
“There are people here today at the fair celebrating and supporting our veterans, but we need more engagement to let our veterans in the community know that there is a space here for
them,” Cifra said. The Coordinator of the Welcome Center and Veterans Resource Center Coordinator Curtis Smith believes events like this to bring veterans together is a great way to build a welcoming, and inclusive environment.
“Anything you can do to bring veterans together,” Smith said. “We wanted to do a little celebration on Veterans’ Day, but the school was closed. We do have a big resource fair coming up as well for the veterans.”
Smith believes fairs like this to bring veterans together is a good act for the college now and moving forward to recognize the people who served the country.
“They’ve done a lot for us and for our country, so I’m all in favor of everything that we can do for them,” Smith said.
Pierce College student and army veteran Oscar Rodriguez stated that just meeting one veteran on the campus is enough to keep him happy. Meeting other veterans with different jobs and different majors is an enjoyable experience for him.
Rodriguez credits Smith as a major part in making his experience as great as it has been.
“Curtis Smith has been very instrumental and helps us vets out, so it’s been good,” Rodriguez said.
With his enjoyment of meeting other veterans, Rodriguez also credits supporting other veterans and Smith as a driving force for attending the fair.
“This is all unpaid work,” Rodriguez said. “So I love at least coming out here and seeing what I could help with and maybe if I could just give an interview or answer someone’s questions.”
Brahma
Crime
Log
A minor hit-and-run car accident was reported on Nov. 12. No injuries were reported.
The crime log is made publicly available at the Pierce College Sheriff’s Office.
Pierce College Sheriff’s Office General Information 818-719-6450
Emergency 818-710-4311
New club brings Persian students together
By Matthew Stewart Reporter
Los Angeles is the biggest hub of Iranian Americans in the entire United States. The Persian community at Pierce College believed it was time for their ethnic group to have a place to be together, discuss and celebrate their culture — so the Persian Club was born.
Persian Club President Laily Gholikhani created the student organization after previous ones of a similar nature had been disbanded.
“This program was started in order to unite everyone who is Persian,” Gholikhani said. “There is a large population of Persians throughout the community, and our goal was to bring everyone closer together, especially through these rough times.”
Iran has long been under
the control of a theocratic and authoritarian dictatorship, which is an issue that rings true to immigrants and children of immigrants from that country,
of globalization, I believe the diaspora of any people can make a major impact on their country, no matter the distance.”
In 2022, Iran saw some of its
“There is a large population of Persians throughout the community, and our goal was to bring everyone closer together, especially through these rough times.”
Laily Gholikhani
Persian Club President
like Persian Club Vice President Ryan Kossarian.
“Taking into mind recent events within Iran, the importance of a connected diaspora cannot be stressed enough,” Kossarian said. “With worldwide trends
largest protests to date when the Iranian Guidance Patrol beat and killed a young woman for violating a mandatory hijab law. As those protests rang out through the latter half of the year, more than 500 citizens were
killed fighting for women’s rights in the country, according to the New York Times.
Amid these events, Persian students like Kossarian strengthened their ties to their ethnic community at home.
“I took the initiative of starting the Iranian Student Association through the understanding that the Iranian diaspora at Pierce was large, but disconnected,” Kossarian said. “The ultimate goal of this project was to provide a safe, open space for Iranian students, and those interested in Iranian history and culture, to meet and celebrate.”
According to a UCLA study in 2023, more than 138,000 people of Iranian heritage reside in Los Angeles, making it the largest Iranian hub in the U.S. Furthermore, California has the largest percentage of Iranians in the US at 0.54%, which is twice as big as the second largest state
in this category, Maryland.
Pierce has a handful of other ethnic clubs under the Associated Student Organization (ASO) umbrella. According to ASO Club Council President Alexa Romero, new cultural clubs do wonders for the campus and are always welcomed.
“It’s always great when new cultural clubs are formed on campus, they bring students together and help create a more inclusive and diverse community,” Romero said. “The new club will benefit students by not only providing a space for Persian students to connect with one another, but it’s also a way for all Pierce College students to learn about and appreciate Persian culture.”
Persian Club meets on Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m. at a location that is pending.
Karla Villacorta / Roundup News
Food provided to students at the Veterans’ Fair at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2024.
Reporting by Delilah Brumer Blotter
Pierce Theater department previews ‘Clyde’s’
The second play of the fall semester is a story of second chances
By Nathalie Herrera Reporter
The Pierce College Theater department will soon be opening their rendition of the production “Clyde’s”, with the cast waiting to share a story of second-chances and hope.
Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage, “Clyde’s” will open on Dec. 6 and run until Dec. 15. The play tells the story of a truck-stop sandwich shop giving a secondchance of hope and community to its ex-convict workers.
Pierce’s production of “Clyde’s” is directed by Esdras Toussaint who has directed three other productions at Pierce and is a full-time professor.
“All of these types of characters are what society would probably keep them in the far margins of society,” Toussaint said. “The characters start out doubting themselves and somewhere along the way, they start thinking, Yes, I am human and part of having society accept you is to truly accept yourself.”
“Clyde’s” consists of six main characters, Clyde, Tish, Rafael, Jason, Montrellous and Letitia. The cast includes two student actors, Andrew Tafur playing Rafel and Alany SolisColeman playing Tish, as well as professional actors Nicholas Caisse playing Jason and Marcus Nash playing Montrellous, and
Tiffany Chevonne.
The cast has been rehearsing since mid-September, and they didn’t have connections to each other prior to the start of rehearsals. However, the cast believes it helps portray the connection formed in the play between the characters.
“I worked with a lot of new actors, a couple of actors that are outside of peers and they’ve been very nice,” Tafur said.” I think it helps add on to the story where we begin to get closer, because we came from the stranger aspect and now we’re getting closer and it just helps fuel our characters more”.
The cast is preparing to get the show stage-ready and feeling a sense of community with each other, as they prepare to tell a story of struggle and selfacceptance.
“Lynn Nottage, the director, brings them in a very confined area, and they’re having to deal with each other,” Toussaint said. “It is coming together over something that is loved and shared, what we have in this play are five characters each of whom would typically be stereotyped by our society”.
Solis-Coleman, who plays Tish, an ex-convict who had a child at a young age, describes that she hopes the audience will learn that someone’s past is not the only thing to define them.
“The main thing that I want
people to get from this is that your actions don’t define you, and change is an inevitable thing that everybody will experience at some point in their life,” Coleman said. “That’s also a big theme in this play, and something that I would want people to look at moving forward”.
“Clyde’s” challenges the stereotypes and boxes that society places ex-convicts in. It challenges the audience’s thought process and society’s acceptance of those of different backgrounds.
“This sandwich shop is just a little sandwich shop in the middle of nowhere,” Cash said. ”But this is the foundation for them that’s going to help them on the rest of their journey in life”.
“Clyde’s” will open at the Dow Arena Theater on Friday, Dec. 6, and run until Sunday, Dec. 15 (exception for Friday, Dec. 13). Showtimes for Fridays and Saturdays are at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and seniors and $20 for general admission.
Free parking is located at Parking Lot #6, next to the Performing Arts Building.
LAPC Theatre’s venues are accessible to those with mobile disabilities and hearing impairments.
For additional information or to purchase tickets, call (818) 719-6488, or visit lapctheatre.org to purchase tickets online.
Moses Murga / Roundup News Actors Nicholas Case (left) and Eddie Tafur (right) perform a scene in the Dow Arena Theatre of the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2024.
LEFT: Director Esdras Toussaint (center) motivates the actors before their rehearsal of “Clyde’s” in the Dow Arena Theatre of the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2024. Photo by Moses Murga.
Wherethe wingedthingsare
Throughout the early morning hours and midday afternoons, there are several Pierce College birds that can be heard with the unique sounds their calls and melodies.
These birds include hawks, turkey vultures, humming birds, crows, wedged-tail grass finch and several other species, which can all be found on the grounds of Pierce.
At times, these winged animals can be seen at specific campus locations, intruiging students who pass by.
The college campus has a way of bringing new birds during specific
times throughout the year. In the fall, there are more sightings of crows than there are of other species. In the spring, blue birds that can be seen around campus, with their vibrant feathers and distinct callings.
The birds are always a unique sight to see when walking around the Center for Sciences or the Pierce College Farm. You can find these winged friends around campus, if you have the patience to look.
Copy by Karla Delgado.
A turkey vulture rests on a tree branch at the Farm at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2024. The turkey vulture is also oftentimes called “buzzard” and uses its sense of smell to locate food.
Karla Delgado / Roundup News
A hummingbird sits on a tree branch at the Center for Sciences building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 23, 2024.
Karla Delgado / Roundup News
A crow rests on a lamp post at the Mall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 14, 2024. They are now considered to be some of the most intelligent animals on the earth and can individually recognize humans.
Karla Delgado / Roundup News
A wedged-tail grass finch rests upon a tree near the Center for Sciences building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 5, 2024. They are known for their meledic songs that are often heard in the early morning or late afternoon.
Karla Delgado/ Roundup News
Brahmas fall to Corsairs in nail-biter
Men’s basketball takes 78-70 loss against Santa Monica
By Abraham Elizalde Sports Editor
After a back and forth game between the Pierce College Brahmas and the Santa Monica Corsairs, the Corsairs emerged victorious as the final buzzer sounded. The Pierce men’s basketball team lost to Santa Monica with a score of 78-70 on Nov. 15.
As the jump ball concluded, the Brahmas went to go on a 10–0 run against the Corsairs, giving them momentum early on in the game. After a timeout by Santa Monica and a three pointer by their point guard Mike Hill, the Corsairs went on a 8-0 run themselves and brought their deficit to only two.
From that point on, the two teams went back and forth with a 35-37 score, in favor of the Brahmas.
With the second half on its way, Brahma small forward Taveon Brown believed that the Brahma offense and defense wasn’t at its best.
“We couldn’t hit any shots coming through the second half.” Brown said. “We could have rebounded a little better, and our defense wasn’t up to par with what it should have been.”
Competition continued in the second half.
With a minute of game left to go, the score was sitting at 7270, with Santa Monica taking the lead.
The Brahmas had the ball, and after a timeout and two substitutions, Pierce guard Lawrence Caudillo attempted a mid range shot and missed, with the rebound going to the Corsairs. After grabbing the ball and running down the court, Santa Monica guard Sage Church responded with a mid range of his own, and hit the shot making the score 74-70, with only 27 seconds left in the game.
With no other option, Pierce intentionally fouled Santa Monica forward Joshua Middlebrooks, sending him to the free throw line, where he hit both of his shots, making it a sixpoint game.
Pierce Head Coach Charles White called a timeout with eight seconds left in the game, and drew up a play for a three point shot, to keep them in the game.
As the time out ended, and both teams set up for the play, the ball went into the hands of Pierce guard Paul Harris, where he got an open look to the basket, and missed his three-point shot.
The Brahmas again intentionally fouled Santa Monica, where Middlebrooks was again sent to the line, and scored his shots, making the game 78-70.
Despite the loss, assistant coach Mike Farmer said the Brahmas were a better team this game, than the last time they played against Santa Monica.
“We lost by maybe six or seven, I think it was,” Farmer said. “When we first played them in the scrimmage, we lost by 25 so we held the lead, we held our own, and we’re a better team than we were when we first played them.
It was a competitive game between the Corsairs and the Brahmas, and assistant coach Ryan Rubino believes that, just like against Santa Monica, Pierce is going to keep playing aggressively.
“We’re going to play extremely hard and give our best to every team that faces us.” Rubino states. “And every team that we play is going to have to earn their win against us.”
The Brahmas will be on the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20 to play against El Camino College, looking to earn their first win of the season.
Abraham Elizalde / Roundup News
Pierce College point guard Lawrence Caudillo (#3) attempts a lay up with Santa Monica point guard Mike Hill (#0) defending in a game against Santa Monica College in the South Gym at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2024.
Abraham Elizalde / Roundup News
Pierce College point guard Ahmir Brown (#1) takes the ball up the court with Santa Monica point guard Mike Hill (#0) defending in a game against Santa Monica in the South Gym at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2024.