Knowing that both teams would be playing in 100+ degree temperatures, the Cerritos College women's soccer team decided to take the game right at Chaffey College on Tuesday. With planned water breaks every 15 minutes due to the severe heat, the Falcons made every effort to come out of each break by putting as much pressure on the Panthers as possible. The end result was a 3-1 South Coast Conference crossover win for the Falcons (12-1-1). The team will travel to Pasadena City College on Friday for a 4:00 p.m. crossover game.

In fact, Cerritos came right out of the gate and immediately put themselves into scoring position. Early in the third minute of the game, sophomore Itzel Ballesteros (Maywood Academy HS) brought the ball from the outside and made the turn along the end line toward the Panthers goal. She was able to get a pass off to freshman Mia Ramirez (Torrance HS), who had worked her way in front of the final Chaffey defender and scored on a one-timer for her team-leading 16th goal of the season.

Just seconds before the end of the first half, Chaffey was able to tie the game when Emma Burgos sent a bouncing shot that freshman goalkeeper Deisy Rodriguez (Katella HS) misread and saw it bounce over her head and into the goal.

Mirroring the first goal of the game, Ballesteros once again used her speed down the sideline and made the turn deep in Chaffey territory midway through the second half. She got the ball to Ramirez, whose first shot was saved by Marina Medeiros. But Ballesteros was there to chip in the rebound, giving Cerritos a 2-1 lead.

Playing on their premise of rotating in many players, in spite of four regulars out with injuries, the Falcons added an insurance goal in the final minute of the game. Sophomore Brittany Reyes (Santa Fe HS/Cal State Northridge) was tackled in the 18-yard box, resulting in a penalty kick. She converted the shot for her ninth goal of the season.

Helping the team to their eighth win of the season on defense were freshmen Brianna Yepez (Paramount HS), Erika Garcia (Downey HS), Jennifer Lopez (Marshall Fundamental HS) and Jessyca Gonzalez (Baldwin Park HS), with Rodriguez finishing the game with four saves.

Photos by Daryl Peterson