Whether it was triple digit temperatures or below freezing conditions, Cerritos College women's soccer player Jasmine Cornejo played the game of soccer the same way she lived her life - with a smile and enthusiasm that all wish to strive for. But on July 31, Cornejo, a two-year starter on the Falcons back-to-back National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) championship teams, complained of headaches and was admitted into the hospital. While at West Anaheim Medical Center, Cornejo experiences a series of brain seizures and slipped into a coma. After several days of no brain activity, Cornejo was taken off life support and passed away on Monday, August 4.

Services have been established for Cornejo, who was planning on transferring to Cal Poly Pomona and study physical therapy. The family has announced that a viewing will be held on Thursday, August 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Forrest Lawn Cemetary on San Antonio Dr. in Long Beach, while the burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16.

"I've had the privilege to coach Jasmine Cornejo for the past six years," said Octavio Marquez, her head coach at Artesia High and assistant coach with the Falcons. "She was more than a soccer placer to me, she was like a daughter. She was a tough competitor who loved the game of soccer. Jasmine accomplished so many things in such a short time. She was such a loving and caring girl who always had a smile on her face. Jasmine will be missed by me and many others."

Several fund raising campaigns have been put in order for help the Cornejo family. A GoFundMe.com account has been set up and has raised almost $2500 in six days, while Cornejo's Norwalk FC club team is selling t-shirts, as is the Cerritos College soccer program. For information on ordering a shirt through the Falcon soccer program, contact head coach Ruben Gonzalez (rgonzalez@cerritos.edu) or with the Norwalk FC team, contact Jay Yanez.(jyanez562@aol.com).

"The loss of someone is always difficult to experience," said Cerritos head coach Ruben Gonzalez, who helped set up grief counseling for the team. "Jasime (pictured, left after scoring a goal) was someone who was so full of life and was always smiling. Her nickname was "Smiley" and all you had to do was meet her to know why. She played the game of soccer with as much passion as anyone I've ever been associated with. Jasmine was one of the main reasons we experienced as much success as we did in the past two years. Having to talk with the team that first day after her passing was one of the toughest things I've ever done. But we assured them that the college was there for whatever they needed to help them through the grief process and beyond."

The college will honor Cornejo at their first home game of the season, September 9 at 4:00 p.m. against Los Angeles Pierce College. There will be $5 admission fee with all proceeds going to the Cornejo family to help offset funeral costs. The team will also present the Cornejo family Jasmine's framed jersey and have a short ceremony that day.