Joe Soccocio / Roundup
The soccer team starts a new winning streak with a 4-0 win at College of the Canyons Friday.
The Brahmas are now 11-3-2 and in first place in the standings.
Pierce’s only loss last season was to the Cougars.
Many of the players were nervous because of the personal rivary that has been formed in the last two seasons.
“They are the only team that beat us last year,” said team captain Elia Petrosian. “We are rivals.”
The first half was very physical and three yellow cards were given out.
One yellow card was given to Pierce and two to the Cougars.
Coach Perez was intense from the start as he shouted many times for the team to come out tough.
The Cougars matched the Brahmas intensity in the first half and both teams played solid defense.
Scoring chances were scarce for the Brahmas.
Poirsha Woolfork scored the only goal in the first half at 44:45 and the Brahmas went into half time with a 1-0 lead.
“The defense was one point,” said Woolfork.
The Brahmas came out of the half determined to score more goals.
They had two quick shots on goal in the first minute of the second half.
Petrosian scored the first goal in the second half at 5:05. She now has 19 goals on the season.
At 6 minutes into the second half Woolfork scored her second goal of the game, making the score 3-0.
Woolfork and the Cougars goalkeeper, Thannia Huerta, collided in front of the goal.
Woolfork was the first of the two to get back onto her feet and she then scored the goal. “We worked hard in practice all week and we all stepped up,” said Woolfork.
The Cougars tried to get on the board with a couple shots on goal late in the game.
Woolfork came back and scored her third goal of the game at 38:06 giving her a hat trick.
“We were more creative this game,” said Woolfork.
“We played aggressive and mentally strong,” said goalkeeper Rachael Vreeland. “We played together as a team.”
When asked how she felt about getting her eighth shut out of the year Vreeland said, “Awesome.”
Nikki Walberg returned to the team after serving her one game suspension for getting a red card against Glendale College.
“I don’t like sitting on the bench,” said Walberg.
The crowd was very enthusiastic the entire game and Pierce had a cheering section of about 20.
“We had to win,” said midfielder Celeste Mejia.
“Once we scored we were more relaxed.”
The Brahmas have one more road game at Bakersfield before returning home on Oct. 24 against Citrus College.