The Pierce College women’s soccer team narrowly lost against Pasadena City College in regional playoffs, for their final game of the season, finishing 4-3 after double overtime.
Neither team managed to score heading into overtime, other than a PCC goal that was quickly nullified in the second half.
Neither team got a goal in two 15-minute rounds of overtime which caused the game to go into penalty kicks in which Pierce players Livia Pereira, Hailey Chavez and Brianna Gutierez all managed to score but were ultimately beaten out by Pasadena with one kick.
Head Coach Adolfo Perez spoke about the incredible pride he has taken in his team and how far they were able to come despite setbacks.
“We literally lost our heart and soul, our best defender we’ve had in many years on Thursday, she is still at the hospital,” Perez said. “We had one day to adjust and put different people in, and we did a phenomenal job.”
While there were a handful of close calls for Pierce, the defensive players like goalkeeper Adriana Villacana prevented the vast majority of near-goals, which Perez acknowledged.
“Still, to take it all the way to the end past double overtime, that shows this team has real guts,” Perez said. “They’re strong.”
Assistant Coach Julio Castillo said the team played to near-perfection.
“Changed? Absolutely nothing. We live and die with the warriors, with the athletes, the players that we trust,” Castillo said. “We’ve been practicing penalty kicks all week, and our game plan worked to a tee. What else can we ask from them? They executed the game plan beautifully.”
In addition to struggles with certain players being injured, Perez said it was a challenge to have limited resources given to programs like women’s soccer, and how it impeded their season.
“It was hard for us to even get food or transportation today,” Perez said. “I’ve been at Pierce for 23 years, it’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. We’re the only women’s team that has made the playoffs 22 out of 23 years, I got this all with no transportation and no food.”
Despite the loss, players like Villacana looked back on the season with good memories and how she and her teammates were able to create a strong bond.
“When we started we were just getting to know each other and it was difficult to play, but after a while, we became a family and sort of just connected,” Villacana said. “One of my favorite things about this season was just meeting new people, I’ve met a lot of people that I know I’m going to have a relationship with outside of soccer and outside of Pierce. It’s the best thing, a community.”
As the season meets its end, many players will go on to graduate as new ones come in, and the returning players, along with the coaches, will continue to practice and go for the championship.
