Continuing to increase their offensive chances in games, the Cerritos College women's soccer team took 24 shots against visiting East Los Angeles College and posted a 2-0 win on Friday. The victory extended the Falcons (6-3-2) unbeaten streak to five (4-0-1), while it was their third shutout in the four wins. The team will now play their next three matches on the road, which starts with a 4:00 p.m. meeting with Los Angeles Harbor College on Tuesday.

Cerritos scored their two goals in the first half, while their defense surrendered just one shot on goal on the day. They opened the scoring in the 27th minute when freshman Samantha Martinez (San Pedro HS) sent a throw-in to the direction of sophomore Gabriela Jimenez (Los Angeles Jordan HS), who was in position to head the ball into the net and past Huskies (1-7-2) goalie Anahi De Leon, who was spectacular in goal at times. The Falcons peppered De Leon with shots all game long, and saw her produce 12 saves.

Lining up for a direct kick from almost 30 yards out late in the first half, freshman McKenzie Cooper (Temescal Canyon HS) booted the ball over De Leon's hands and under the crossbar for a beautiful goal. It was her third goal of the season. Of the 20 goals the Falcons have scored this season, five of them have come on direct kicks.

Maintaining possession of the ball for the majority of the game, Cerritos had 12 different players take at least one shot attempt. They worked on ball control and their passing against East Los Angeles, and filled the open spaces in the middle of the field with crisp passes.

While the offense was continuing to improve, the defense wasn't really tested, as freshman goalies Liza Cisneros (Bellflower HS) and Melanie Corona (El Rancho HS) only saw one combined shot on goal. The defensive unit of Alessandra Ramirez (Warren HS), America Ontiveros (Santa Ana HS), Alyssa Amaro (Katella HS), Briana Flores (North Torrance HS), Aubree Stevens (Pacifica HS) and Jaylene Valentin (La Serna HS) have gotten better with each game, which has allowed the team to cut down on opponent scoring chances.

Photos by Daryl Peterson