A battling display from the Pierce College women’s soccer team paved the way for a 7-0 demolition of Santa Monica College on Friday.Coming into the match with an impressive record of 14 wins, one loss and four draws, Pierce looked to consolidate that record against a Santa Monica team who managed a goalless draw in their last meeting.Last time the two teams played at Santa Monica, the game was fierce and physical. By the end of that match, Pierce midfielder Amanda Bernal had to be taken off the field due to injury and was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season.This game would be no different, as within minutes both teams started off in similar fashion, with crunching tackles and players trying to push each other off of the ball.Pierce would grab the early lead in the 4th minute, as Lindsey Liggera slotted a simple shot into the back of the net after ghosting to the back post.It was exactly what Pierce was looking for, since in their previous encounter it was something they had failed to do.The Brahmas doubled their lead in the 11th minute. The ball was thrown in from the left and was met by Pierce midfielder Jamie Doyen, who headed it to the far post where Pierce midfielder Mia Swafford was left with an easy tap-in.Their third goal was almost an exact mimic of the second, the only difference being Rebecca Mendez scoring the easy finish in the 23rd minute.By now, Pierce was controlling the game even with Santa Monica biting at their heels, and a fourth goal never looked unlikely. Pierce forward Stephanie Weaver stole in off of the Santa Monica goalkeeper and crossed to teammate Dilhani Perera, who was left with a simple finish to make it 4-0 in the 41st minute.The second half started in a similar fashion to the first: feisty and physical. Unfortunately for Santa Monica, the damage had already been done and within the first 15 minutes of the second half, they conceded two goals in two minutes. Liggera scored a sumptuous lob from 20 yards out in the 60th and Swafford headed in a freekick just two minutes later to make it 6-0.With Santa Monica playing such a rampant Pierce side, they played out the match with the same feisty physical approach, but with more caution. Their tactics worked until the 90th minute, when Pierce forward Stephanie Weaver was fouled in the penalty box repeatedly and the Brahmas were awarded a spot kick.Pierce defender Allison Fass, who had a spectacular game in defense, stepped up to take the penalty and slotted it calmly past the diving keeper, finsihing off this incredible performance with a score of 7-0.After the match, Santa Monica head coach Aaron Benditson was left with little to say but that they “ran into a really good team.”Pierce head coach Adolfo Perez had nothing but praise.”We’re being consistent. What the girls are doing, it’s incredible,” said Perez. “I think that we played a good game on Tuesday but, to score seven is pretty cool.”Pierce defender Allison Fass, who was named “man of the match” by Perez, spoke of the team’s achievement, saying, “We were all pumped. They were the only team we didn’t beat.”Pierce’s next game is on Tuesday at Mission College at 4 p.m., and their final home game of the season is Nov. 2 against Bakersfield College.
