Adrian Herrera / Roundup
Playing in their first conference game of the season, the Pierce College women’s soccer team played an outstanding all around game en route to a 2-1 victory at home against the College of the Canyons on Tuesday.
After missing some early shots on goal the Brahmas got on the board first in the 16 minute when midfielder Ani Eishoei scored on a header, giving Eishoei her first goal of the season.
“We played very composed, we were relaxed on the field,” said Eishoei. “We talked before the game about playing comfortable yet focused and I felt we executed that.”
And focused they played as they shutout College of the Canyons in the first half of the game and by not allowing any shots on goal.
The lady Brahmas seemed in complete control in the first half as they won the time of possession battle and went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
“Today was probably our best game this season,” said Brahmas Head Coach Adolfo Perez.
As the second half began the Lady Brahmas continued controlling the game, playing great defense and creating numerous scoring opportunities on offense, but the Brahmas could not get the ball into the net to add to their lead.
“Our weakness right now is finishing,” said Perez, “scoring, sounds easy, but were not scoring, and that’s what we have to do to win.”
College of the Canyons spoiled the possibility of the Lady Brahmas fifth shutout of the season when sophomore Nicole Quintanilla scored, stunning the Pierce College crowd in the 72 minute tying the game at 1-1.
The Lady Brahmas answered right back scoring just minutes later when freshman forward Erica Vangsness scored a goal in the 76 minute giving Pierce College the lead once again.
“It was clutch,” said Vangsness about her game winning goal. “I never give up, I always give it 100 percent, all I got.”
Vangness’s goal could not have come at a better time as the Lady Brahmas were not ready to repeat the outcome of their last game, which ended in a tie.
“We have resilient players on our team, we came back today and won,” said Perez, “that was the perfect time [to score] because that’s when you lose your guard in soccer is after a goal is scored by the opposing team and we were fortunate to score right after.”
This was the first conference game for Pierce College this season who hopes to once again repeat as the Western State Conference Southern Division Champions, as they did in 2008.
“Conference is going to be very tough,” Perez said. “This is our first conference game so the competition level just steps up automatically,” added Vangsness.
Sophomore Gabby Gavotto was injured in the 12 minute of the second half when she collided with a College of the Canyons player. Gavotto left the game with a heavy bruise on her knee.
“She is our stallion in the back,” Perez said of Gavotto.
When asked if she would be ready for Friday’s game Gavotto replied, “Of course.”
The Lady Brahmas, now 5-1-1, will host another game at home on Friday against the Valley College Monarchs, 3-3-1.
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