The Pierce College women’s soccer team, ranked number two in California and number five in the country, demolished Santa Monica College 7-0, Friday at the Pit.
Coming into the match, Pierce’s record was 13 wins, one loss and four draws. They looked to consolidate that record against Santa Monica.
The last time they played, the game was fierce and physical. Pierce midfielder Amanda Bernal was taken off the field due to injury and was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season.
The game started similarly, as both teams started off physically with crunching tackles coming early on. Pierce grabbed the lead in the 4th minute, as Lindsey Liggera scored after ghosting to the back post for an easy finish.
The Brahmas doubled their lead in the 11th minute. The ball was thrown in from the left and met by Pierce midfielder Jamie Doyen, who headed it to the far post where Pierce midfielder Mia Swafford was left with an easy tap-in.
Their third goal was almost an exact mimic of the second, the only difference being Rebecca Mendez scoring in the 23rd minute.
By now, Pierce was in control even with Santa Monica biting at their heels, and a fourth goal never looked unlikely. Pierce forward Stephanie Weaver stole in off of the Santa Monica goalkeeper and crossed to teammate Dilhani Perera who tapped in to make it 4-0 in the 41st minute.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first. Unfortunately for Santa Monica, the damage had already been done and by the 60th minute, they conceded two goals in two minutes. Liggera scored a sumptuous lob from 20 yards out in the 60th and Swafford headed in a freekick in the 62nd minute, making it 6-0.
With Santa Monica playing such a rampant Pierce side, they played out the match with caution. Their tactics worked up until the 90th minute, when Weaver won Pierce a penalty after being fouled in the box. Pierce defender Allison Fass, who had been playing exceptionally well, calmly kicked the ball past the keeper, rounding off the 7-0 win.
After the match, Santa Monica head coach Aaron Benditson was left with little to say but “we ran into a really good team.”
Pierce head coach Adolfo Perez praised his team, “we’re being consistent. What the girls are doing, it’s incredible.”
Allison Fass, named “man of the match” by Perez, spoke of the team’s achievement, saying, “We were all pumped. They were the only team we didn’t beat.”
Pierce’s next game is Tuesday at Birmingham High School versus L.A. Mission College at 4 p.m. and their last home game of the season will be against Bakersfield College Nov. 2. This game will determined who wins conference.
Pierce College had an easy time against Santa Monica on Friday, crushing the Corsairs 7-0, at the Pit. Next they’ll face L.A. Mission. ()
Pierce forward Stephanie Weaver tries to hold off a Santa Monica defender at Friday’s game. Weaver assisted two goals. Pierce won 7-0. ()