City College’s women’s soccer team played against the Rio Hondo Roadrunners on Sept. 27 at La Playa Stadium, finishing with a final score of 1-1.
The Roadrunners kicked off to start the first half, but the Vaqueros quickly gained possession. Defender Carolina Esparza passed to midfielder Cara Christopherson to shoot for a goal, but Christopherson wasn’t able to follow through after being struck from behind by a Rio Hondo defender.
The Vaqueros continued to gain possession as defender Morea Juneau shot for a goal, but the Roadrunners goalkeeper made the block.
With twenty-eight minutes left in the half, the Roadrunners scored against City College after an attempted pass to goalkeeper Anna Kirk. A Rio Hondo forward tried to shoot in hopes of making the lead 2-0, but Vaqueros defender Esparza blocked it before it reached the goalkeeper.
The Vaqueros gained possession back and forward Amalia Nolan battled with the Roadrunners goalkeeper in an attempt to score. City College was determined to score before halftime.
Toward the end of the first half, forward Kacey Renga made continuous shots and passes to try to tie the score. Renga eventually assisted Nolan who scored with a minute left in the half to tie the Roadrunners 1-1.
“I was relieved and we knew it was going to happen,” Coach Alex Zermeno said.
City College started the second half fast and quickly gained possession. Forward Maddison Dodson passed to forward Alyssa Placido who scored in an attempt to make the score 2-1, but the goal was called back due to it being offside.
In the thirtieth minute of the second half, Vaqueros forward, Nolan, was given a yellow card and minutes later a Rio Hondo defender received one as well.
The energy in the crowd was high when Nolan passed to Placido who broke through two defenders and shot the ball, but the Roadrunners goalkeeper would make a plethora of blocks throughout this half to keep the score 1-1.
Roadrunners attempted to gain possession and try to score, but the Vaqueros back line did not allow it. With ten minutes left in the second half another yellow card was given out to a Rio Hondo player.
Vaqueros maintained possession throughout the second half with multiple shots on goal, though none made it in the goal.
“We were not playing to our usual level and we had our chances,” Esparza said. “We lacked energy and it wasn’t there.”
City College’s women’s soccer game ended in a different outcome than they hoped with the final score being 1-1.
“We didn’t lose which is good, but we didn’t play up to our standards,” Coach Zermeno said.
The team will take on Allan Hancock on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at La Playa Stadium. To prepare for the upcoming game Zermeno adds the team will come ready with a mindset to train hard.
“I know these women are strong-minded and will find ways to win to bounce back on Tuesday.” Zermeno said.
