Brahmas soccer has five games in the books and the start to the season has had its ups and downs.
The soccer team are currently fourth in the Western State Conference- South with a 2-1-2 overall record.
Head Coach Adolfo Perez is happy with the start.
“Overall it has been good. We have a hard schedule, but we’ve been blessed to have a competitive team,” Perez said.
They have already have been dealt two blows. Goalkeeper Madison Holland has been ruled out with a torn ACL and Irene Reyes, midfielder, suffered a knee injury after the game against MiraCosta College.
“I’m a little bummed. We have two players out. We dealt with it last year,” Perez said. “I felt we didn’t have an efficient summer and what you put in is what you get out of it.”
The Brahmas started their season on the road with a trip to Irvine Valley College. The Lasers took an early lead before Gisell Cruz and Keyonna Hill turned the game around to take a 2-1 lead.
However, with three minutes left in the game Savanna Hayes tied the game at two for the Lasers.
The Brahmas were on the road again when they traveled to San Diego for two games in less than 24 hours.
On Aug. 31, they faced the San Diego Miramar Jets. Hill and Jessica Tapia scored to give the team their first road win.
The next day they took on MiraCosta. Hill continued her great start to the season scoring once. However, it wasn’t enough and the game ended in another 2-2 draw. The Brahmas left San Diego with a win and a draw.
Perez felt that the draws against Irvine and MiraCosta should have been wins for the team.
“Irvine was our first game. We were getting our feet wet, but we had opportunities to finish the game. We had the lead, but they scored with a minute and a half left in the game which was a bummer,” Perez said. “Against MiraCosta we missed seven one-on-one’s with the goalkeeper and we hit the post.”
The Brahmas hosted the Mt. San Jacinto College Eagles in their home opener. Heading into the game, goalkeeper Iliana Yanez had played all three road games, but Perez decided to rotate three of his four goalies. Emily Claros, Madison Holland and Valerie Mojica all played 30 minutes each.
The team was down early, however Dominique Gonzalez led the comeback scoring two goals in 12 minutes. Cristina Peruch-Alegria, Jessica Palmer and Hill all added goals, giving them a 5-1 win.
Hill leads the team with six goals and she is eight away from tying Cruz who was last season’s top goal scorer with 14. Gonzalez is second with two goals.
Hill said she is happy with the start she had and only looks forward to big things with the team.
“It feels awesome. That is one of my goals I want to achieve. Be the top goal scorer for the team this year, but you have to remain humble,” Hill said.The Brahmas were on the road Friday when they faced the Antelope Valley College Marauders. Heading into the game, the Brahmas were still undefeated at 2-0-2.
Hill scored the lone goal for the team, as the Brahmas lost 3-1. Holland started the game before injuring herself in the 10th minute. Yanez came in her place and played the rest of the game.
Adriana Sosa is close to a full recovery after tearing her ACL last season and she is looking forward to be back on the team.
“It is exciting because I want to keep playing so I go to the university level,” Sosa said.
