Looking to rebound after their first home loss in five seasons, the Cerritos College women's soccer team scored three second half goals on their way to a 4-1 non-conference win over Ventura College. The Falcons (5-1-1) held a 1-0 lead at intermission and scored their three second half goals in the span of 21 minutes. The team will now open South Coast Conference South Division play on Friday with a 4:00 p.m. game at El Camino College.

Cerritos opened the scoring in the 17th minute of the first half when freshman defender Jacky Cibrian (Legacy HS) lofted a perfect shot from close to 30 yards out, which landed into the net over the outstretched hands of Pirates (3-6-1) goalkeeper Eva McMillan. The Falcons maintained possession of the ball for the greater majority of the first 45 minutes and didn't even allow Ventura a shot attempt, which kept freshman goalkeeper Deisy Rodriguez (Katella HS) away from any contact.

It was a 2-0 lead when sophomore Itzel Ballesteros (Maywood Academy HS) beat McMillan to a loose ball at the top of the 18-yard box. One quick move left Ballesteros with an open net, where she scored her third goal of the season. The Pirates would get on the board in the 60th minute, as Miranda Vasquez was able to bend her corner kick into a crowd at the goal line, with the ball just getting under the crossbar.

Looking to regain control of the game's tempo, Ballesteros and freshman Stephanie Nava (Shadow Ridge, NV HS) broke toward the goal on a two-on-two situation. Both players were able to get some distance from their defenders, with Ballesteros sending a crossing pass that Nava was able to chip into the net for her second goal of the season. Cerritos closed out the scoring in the 81st minute with Nava playing a role. Moving the ball into an attack position, Nava was able to send a pass that cleared several defenders, where freshman Elizabeth Mendez (Long Beach Millikan HS) tapped into the net for an insurance goal.

The Falcons put themselves in position to score several more goals during the game, but had four of their shots just miss the net either over the crossbar or wide of the net.

Photos by Daryl Peterson