City College women’s soccer (6-3-3) took a 2-0 first half lead and held on to defeat Cuesta College (6-5-2) 2-1 at La Playa Stadium Tuesday afternoon.
City College looked dominant most of the game but could not score in the second half despite out shooting Cuesta 29-5 on the day. The Vaqueros still managed to win the match behind the goals from Sophomore Forward Sandy Grimaldo (No.13) and Freshman Forward Aimee Ryan (No.5).
The victory improved the Vaqueros record in the Western State Conference to 3-0-2, best in the WSC North.
“We couldn’t finish today for some reason,” said Head Coach John Sisterson. “We had players competing well, but when they got in front of the goal, they fell apart.”
In the twelfth minute, Vaquero Sophomore Forward Kaitlyn Crooker (No.8) got a one-on-one look with Cougar Goalkeeper Micaela Lewis. Lewis would charge the ball and save what looked like a sure goal for Crooker.
City College almost scored again in the twenty-sixth minute when Ryan got behind the Cuesta defense and deflected a shot off the right post.
The Vaqueros finally got the ball past Lewis in the thirty-fifth minute when Grimaldo split two defenders for a footrace to the goal. Grimaldo reached the ball first and planted a right-footed shot that found the back of the net from fifteen yards out.
Just before half, City College Sophmore Midfielder Hannah Martin (No.25) was awarded a free kick from forty yards out. Martin placed a great ball to Ryan, who beat the keeper and put the Vaqueros up 2-0 at halftime.
“Hannah floated the ball over the defense. I got a step ahead of everyone, took a touch, and finished.” said Ryan.
Cuesta managed to keep things close in the second half despite continuing to struggle to maintain possession. In the fifty-eighth minute, a City College turnover gave Cuesta forward Karolina Rendon an unabated path to the goal. Rendon found the net from twenty-five yards out to cut the City College lead to 2-1. It was Cuesta’s first shot on goal.
City College would continue to miss scoring chances late in the game. Cuesta’s goal would be the last of the game despite City College out shooting them 13-4 in the second half.
“We still won the game, but we have to work on finishing our opportunities. It felt good to come in and get that second goal.” Ryan said.
“We played well enough to win by a more convincing margin,” Sisterson said. “But we won the game and we’re still in first place.”
City College will play their next game at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17 at Ventura College.
