Women’s soccer team finally scores

Kat Wilson Roundup Reporter

The women’s soccer team finally found the back of the net as they scored two goals on Tuesday, but ultimately lost against East Los Angeles College 4-2.

The game began with Pierce slipping up in their midfield. Though the defense also had a hard time, Pierce neutralized ELAC’s attacks through offside traps where the East L.A. team was unable to make any shots.

The unsuccessful shots explained ELAC’s behavior in the first half as they became aggressive and physical toward a few Pierce players. At one point during the first half there was a small altercation that ended with no player from either team being booked.

As Pierce struggled with accepting orders yelled by head coach Adolfo Perez, ELAC appeared to be more organized and communicated more, shouting to each other as they dribbled and passed the ball.

“We didn’t win because of our inexperience,” Perez said. “Not a lot of the girls have played organized soccer. I thought we were very prepared today, but I guess we’re not.”

A foul took ELAC’s goalie out 35 minutes in, causing the team to swarm together for a counterattack that led to their first goal of the game. Perez had issues with the referee, shouting “Call something!” from the sidelines.

Where Perez had difficulties with getting recognized, the opposing coach had no problems.

“The ref didn’t call as much as what probably should’ve been called for us, and I’m sure for the other team as well,” ELAC’s coach, Tessa Troglia, said.

After ELAC made their first goal, the Pierce players walked off the field, angry and frustrated, for half time.

“I’ve been here 13 years, and we’ve never been like this,” Perez said. “Usually, we’re a championship team. We weren’t even this bad our first year.”

The second half started with Pierce attempting three shots as they improved their control of the ball. Although Pierce controlled and passed the ball slightly better, ELAC was awarded a penalty kick eight minutes into the second half, after one of Pierce’s defenders committed a foul inside the box.

Like in other games, Pierce showed their danger from set pieces. Pierce scrambled together to take a corner kick, which paved the way for their first goal of the year. The ball was headed in by freshman forward Michelle Somers.

Somers broke both her and Pierce’s goal drought with her goal.

The pace had quickened after these practice every day, working hard just so you can at least get an offer—which is not promised to anybody. So, you’re out there just following your dream; you don’t really know if you’re going to get it done or not.”

To achieve that dream and move to the next level of their athletic careers, the football coaches help bring scouts from all over the country to Pierce to recruit players.

“We put our players on DVDs and send them out to the four-year colleges,” Lofrano said.

However, the players aren’t just taped by their coaches and families; Pierce’s football team is one of the rare few of junior colleges in the country to be televised, as can be seen on la36.org.

“For a kid to come and play junior college football, Pierce College is the best place in the country for anybody to play,” said Martinez. “Just see the number of kids coming in and going out— forget the wins and losses—but the kids coming in and going out? That’s what it’s all about. And then the idea is, you know what, if we do that, the winning will take care of itself.”

For a full list of past and present football players who are continuing to play at Division 1 universities, fouryear universities, and other related information visit www.brahmasgoD1. com.