When the referee announced that there would be five minutes extra added to the second half, the Cerritos College women's soccer team used every bit of that time before scoring the game-winning goal. On Friday, the Falcons (1-3-1) earned a 2-1 non-conference win over visiting College of the Desert (3-1-0) on Friday, as the teams contended with the heat and humidity for 90 minutes.

The team will look to build on that momentum on Tuesday when they host Santiago Canyon College at 2:00 p.m. in another non-conference match.

One of the hardest working players on offense in the game, freshman Ariana Rivera (Long Beach Millikan HS), saved her best for last. Pressuring the Roadrunners defense every chance possible, Rivera received a pass from freshman Sariah Sanchez  (La Sierra HS) and lofted a shot from about 25 yards out. The ball hit under the crossbar and rolled into the net, much to the delight of the team.

Just four minutes prior, Desert looked to have taken the lead when Ximena Perez-Anguiano fired a shot off the Falcons crossbar. However, her shot was cleared away before it had a chance to get into the net, which preserved the tie.

It only took College of the Desert a little over five minutes to open the scoring, as Ruby Segura fired a shot over the outside shoulder of Cerritos goalkeeper Trinidad Arizmendi (El Rancho HS). Aside from the ball that hit the crossbar, Arizmendi was able to post six saves for her first collegiate win.

Prior to the end of the first half, Cerritos received a penalty kick when the Roadrunners were called for a handball in the 18-yard box. Freshman Jenna Santos (St. Joseph HS) stepped up and scored her first goal of the season.

Photos by Daryl Peterson