Philip George, Spring 2009 Assistant Sports Editor
SEPT. 26, 2008 – Rocio Abundez and the rest of the Pierce College soccer team pulled out a late-game miracle to stave off a loss and tie the Pirates of Ventura College, 1-1, yesterday afternoon at the Pit.
With Pierce trailing 1-0 as soon as fifteen minutes into the game, Abundez unleashed a kick from the sideline that barely cleared the outstretched fingertips of Ventura goalkeeper Aslyn Rau, drawing the Brahmas even with five minutes left to play – sending the bench as well as the Brahma faithful in attendance into a frenzy.
“It was awesome to be able to please all these fans that came,” said head coach Adolfo Perez about playing in front of hometown fans for the first time in four weeks, “I didn’t want to lose because of that more than anything else.”
Brahma goalkeeper Betty Ramirez helped preserve the draw with a handful of dazzling saves, even after sustaining an injury midway through the second half.
With the Pirates still ahead, Ramirez dove to save a runaway ball, and took the knee of Ventura’s Joycln Cooney in the back of her neck. Trainers tended to Ramirez, who shortly thereafter stood up by herself and finished out the game.
“I couldn’t give up,” Ramirez said. “My team needed me.”
The Brahmas will begin the quest for their fourth-straight Western State Conference South Division title when they kick off conference play at Valley College Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Brahma-freshman Kelsey Morquecho vies for the kick against one of the Ventura College Pirates yesterday afternoon at Pierce College. The Brahmas scored a shot in the last five minutes to secure a draw. ()