Spectacular corner kick goal seals 2-1 win for women’s soccer Late goal gives Pierce hard fought victory over Citrus

Kat Wilson Roundup Reporter

The Pierce College women’s soccer team went back on track as they won 2-1 against Citrus College on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Pierce had prepared differently for the game against Citrus than it had for any other, according to head coach Adolfo Perez.

“We trained harder [on Monday],” Perez said. “We also ran before the game.”

The game started lightly as the Brahmas tried to figure out the opposing team. Within 10 minutes of the game, Pierce started shooting for the goal, though the attempts were not successful.

Unlike its other games, Pierce was the more physical team on the pitch, dominating possession of the ball against Citrus. They heard coach Perez shouting from the sidelines.

“Be aggressive, Pierce,” Perez said.

Amidst the sparring that made up most of the first half, sophomore defender Karina Ramirez broke away from the defenders and charged toward the goal, but her shot went wide.

In one throw-in for Pierce, Brian Norman, an assistant coach for Citrus, was awarded a yellow card for trying to hold up the game.

With no goals made in the first half, both teams went into halftime with a scoreless draw.

Perez explained the difficulties the team faced before the game had even started.

“We had a girl who had a seizure before the game,” Perez said. “And we had another girl who had a concussion.”

In the second half, the Brahmas were tired, barely jogging around quickly enough to intercept passes. They were slowly becoming unorganized as they shuffled across the field.

Freshman defender Alexis Mendias fell on her back while trying to take the ball away from a Citrus player, leaving the goal wide open and allowing freshman midfielder Kacie Licata of Citrus to take advantage of the mistake and score the first goal of the game.

Pierce responded quickly, defending their goal and making clean passes. Pierce’s freshman goalie Jenna Koziol was quick at catching every shot attempt that Citrus made.

As Pierce started to fight back, so did coach Perez. He shouted at the referee for the lack of calls, which made her walk all the way over to him from her position in midfield.

“Take it easy coach,” she said. “I don’t want to give you a [yellow] card.”

Not wanting to follow in the footsteps of Citrus’s assistant coach,

Perez kept his mouth temporarily shut.

With Pierce working together, sophomore forward Jackie Hilario was able to set up a cross inside the box for Michelle Somers, who put the ball in the back of the net to give Pierce its first goal.

“Come on Pierce,” Perez said, cheering and rallying his team. “One more.”

Pierce almost scored another goal, but the ball hit the crossbar, causing it to bounce back out and giving a Citrus defender the opportunity to clear the ball.

This set up Pierce for another corner kick. Ramirez shot for goal and scored in a spectacular manner to give Pierce the lead late in the second half.

“I knew it was one of our last chances to try to get the win,” Ramirez said. “I was lucky enough to get it in. I’m glad it was the winning goal.”

Tim Tracey, head coach for Citrus, was very disappointed in his team’s performance.

“We had some individuals with strong efforts on the field, but there was no backup behind it,” Tracey said. “We handed the game to them.”

Pierce seemed better prepared for this game, but it wasn’t all about the training, according to Perez.

“I think for the first time, we had perseverance,” Perez said. “Today’s game was based on guts.” done.”

Head coach Nicole Ryan of Santa Monica liked how her team fought against Pierce.

“Our girls had some moments where they battled,” Ryan said. “I wish they would’ve battled a little bit more to really drive it home.”

Freshman Jessica Martinez wrapped up the first set with a wellexecuted spike for a 25-20 win.

“I really liked seeing us come together as a team and really meshing,” freshman Brooke Rudebusch said. “We communicate really well.”

The second game was scattered with net violations for both Pierce and Santa Monica.

After each play, whether they missed or made a point, the Brahmas reconvened on the court, putting their arms around each other for a few seconds to really come together as a team.

“We huddle,” Rudebusch said. “We give each other feedback about where our setter and back row are and where the hitters are going to hit.”

Martinez drove the ball into the ground for another winning point, ending the second match 25-14 against Santa Monica.

The third match started out with Santa Monica mishandling the ball, awarding Pierce the first point.

Sophomore Rachel Wallin, an opposite hitter, served a few times for Pierce, each serve leading to a point as her throws made it over the net, bouncing on Santa Monica’s court.

Pierce finished the third match 25-14, and taking the win against Santa Monica.

Coach Mardini saw the overall good effort that Pierce had put forth at the tournament throughout Friday and Saturday.

“I loved seeing the progress of the girls,” Mardini said. “The team has made a lot of progress since the beginning of the year. It’s good to see.”

Ryan, Santa Monica’s coach, was also proud of her team.

“We always get excited to play against Pierce,” Ryan said. “There’s a little bit of a rivalry, so, as a coach, I’m always excited to play against them.”

The Brahmas walked off the court, triumphant because of their win.

“I had a lot of fun,” Rudebusch said. “It feels good to win.”