The Pierce College women’s soccer team has been the bright spot for the Brahmas sports program in what has been an otherwise forgettable season for the other teams.
The Brahmas avoided a slip up against a lesser opponent and thanks to leading goal scorer, Paige Wolny, they defeated the Allan Hancock Bulldogs 3-0 on Friday, Oct. 10.
The Bulldogs came in with a record of 2-8, but the Brahmas played like the defending Western State Conference champions. Pierce dominated the game with ball position and maintained control by doing a good job of spreading the field and forcing the Bulldog defenders to work.
In the first half the Brahmas had 13 corner kicks, however Pierce would only score one goal in the first half and it wouldn’t come off of those corners.
The first goal was made by freshman Taylor Bailey. Bailey, who usually plays back-up goalie to goalie Jenna Koziol, came in as a forward and found Wolny with a header. The well placed header was put in front of Wolny’s feet and from there it was a one-on-one battle with the Bulldogs’ keeper until she found the back of the net in the 35th minute.
Even though it was Wolny who scored, it was Bailey that set up the play and has become a known asset for the Brahmas up-front.
“Everyday I am just out there to go and prove every time I step on the field I can play no matter what position,” Bailey said. “I got the opportunity and made the best of it.”
After the half Pierce did a better job with execution. In the 64th minute, Wolny scored her second goal of the game with assists from both sophomore Alexis Mendias and freshman Mayra Lopez. After a chip toward the left side, Lopez put a shot on goal that was deflected and pounded back in for Wolny, who now has 12 goals this season for the Brahmas.
“My teammates are just doing a good job of finding me in spots where I can score,” Wolny said. “We should still be doing a lot better, but I still liked the way we played today.”
Mendias would then finish the Bulldogs off a minute later with her own goal and another chip from just under the crossbar to steal the win for Pierce.
“We came out a little bit slow in the first half,” Perez said. “But that second half, we executed and played some of our best soccer we have seen so far.”
Pierce now has a record 6-2-4 (2-0-1) and will be on the road again Tuesday, Oct. 14 to face the Ventura College Pirates who are currently in first place with an overall record of 5-2-3.