Without question, the 2019 Cerritos College women's soccer season has been one of uncommon occurrences from over the last 15 years. You can add the Falcons 2-2 tie with visiting Compton College (3-1-4) to the list, as it was the most goals given up against the Tartars in that time frame and first time the team didn't walk away with a win. Cerritos (5-3-2), unbeaten in their last four games, will host East Los Angeles College in a 4:00 p.m. match on Friday.

The Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute when freshman McKenzie Cooper (Temescal Canyon HS) was able to chip a shot over the outstretched hands of Compton goalkeeper Jasmine Garcia after receiving a pass from Samantha Martinez (San Pedro HS).

Despite their offensive aggressiveness, Cerritos was unable to add to their lead, as they missed several open shots. Prior to halftime, Compton was able to tie the game on a free kick from Carolina Martinez from 30 yards out that cleared just under the crossbar for a goal in the 31st minute. To the surprise of everyone, the Tartars took a 2-1 lead in the 66th minute, as Jenifer Lopez fired a shot over the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Melanie Corona (El Rancho HS). Corona went on to earn the tie after coming in to play the second half.

Once the Falcons fell behind, they turned up the heat and maintained possession of the ball for almost the entirety of the final 30 minutes. But time after time, a final pass was off line or a shot was well wide of the net. But, in the 70th minute, freshman Alessandra Ramirez (Warren HS) lofted a pass into the 18-yard box, where a handball was called. Ramirez finished off the play by drilling home a penalty kick. It was her third goal in the last two games.

Not satistifed with a tie, the Falcons continued to pressure the Compton defense, who collapsed all of their players on defense in hopes of keeping the ball out of the net. Several good looks came up empty, while Garcia posted three second half saves for Compton.

Photos by Daryl Peterson