Emily Kelley / Roundup
A change in the weather also brought a change for the Pierce College women soccer team with a stunning, 5-0, win over LA Valley College at home on Friday.
“It feels good because it wasn’t just that we won, it was how we won,” said Head Coach Adolfo Perez.
The Lady Brahmas, 6-1-1, controlled the first half of the game with precision ball handling and flow, something that has been lacking in previous games.
“Great ball movement (was the biggest win factor),” said freshmen midfielder Ani Eishoei “This is the best we’ve played so far, regardless of them being a bad team.”
The control paid off with the first goal being scored in the first 15 minutes of play by freshmen forward Emma Campos, making the score 1-0.
Freshmen midfielder Megan Quinn scored a long ball goal from outside the penalty box just a minute later, giving her her first goal of the season.
Eishoei added another long ball goal, extending the Lady Brahma’s lead, 3-0.
Campos made a daring play as she followed up on a ball that was seemingly loose after initially being caught by the Valley goalie, attempting to kick it out of her hands.
After a free kick was taken, Campos ended up scoring her second goal of the game, keeping the score, 4-0, at the half.
“I wanted to score more. I was more motivated,” said Campos, when asked what was different from previous games.
Midfielder Stephanie Cubias, last years leading scorer, has yet to score a goal this season, but has made 5 assists, including one for Campos.
Cubais collided with a Monarch player in the first half, and went down in obvious pain. She came out of the game, but returned to play in the second half.
After her return, an opposing player, who received a yellow card, fouled her and a penalty kick was awarded.
Eishoei took the kick for Pierce, and scored with a well-placed lob, solidifying the score, 5-0.
In a rare display for the team, as Eishoei attempted a shot on goal, she collided with the Valley goalie, who reportedly punched her in the back of the head. Eishoei gave her a push on the shoulder, and while no penalties were issued, Perez immediately pulled her from the game.
That was the only bit of excitement during the second half, with players being subbed in and out throughout the remaining minutes, causing Pierce to lose most of the control they saw in the first half.
“We stopped a lot, we gave everyone an opportunity to play,” said Perez. “Soccer is a game of rhythm, so if you stop a lot it throws off the rhythm.”
While Valley is supposed to be the cross-town rivals for other Brahma teams, it’s not the case for women’s soccer.
“We are a rival for everyone, because the all come here to try and beat us,” said Perez.
The Brahmas will next face Citrus College, 2-4-3, on the road on Oct. 6, but are looking forward to its road game against Santa Monica College, 4-1-4, on Oct. 9.
SMC Head Coach Aaron Benditson is a former player of Perez’s, and has a “dream of beating us,” according to Perez.
“They look too good right now and we need to put them away,” said Eishoei.
Pierce will face the Fighting Owls at 4:00 p.m. at Citrus and the Corsairs at 3:00 p.m. at Santa Monica.
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