It's been a slow start to the season for the Cerritos College women's water polo team. After a pair of losses on the first day of the Cuesta Tournament, the Falcons were defeated two more times on Saturday and now sit at 0-5 through the first weekend of the season. They were defeated by Fresno City College, 13-12 in a tight first game, but were then shutout by West Valley College, 16-0. It was the first shutout loss by Cerritos since a 13-0 setback against Golden West College on September 19, 2003. On the second day, it was another close pair of games with a 15-13 loss to Diablo Valley College, with the weekend ending with a 16-15 setback against Modesto.

This Wednesday, the Falcons will host their first game of the season at 3:00 when they take on Rio Hondo College.

Playing without any subs the entire weekend, Cerritos held their own with the Rams and trailed just 6-5 at halftime. The teams traded goals in the third quarter, with Miranda Alvarez (Schurr HS) scoring in the final second to take a 9-8 deficit into the last eight minutes. The tradeoff of goals continued through the entire fourth quarter, with the Falcons unable to take the lead at any time. Annabell Magana (Downey HS) scored what would be the game's final goal with :34 seconds remaining, with Cerritos not able to get the tying goal.

Angelina Romero (Schurr HS) scored five times to lead the team, with Melissa Prata (Downey HS) stepping up to add three goals. Alvarez assisted on four of the goals, with Magana recording three helpers. Goalie Alyssa Sorrells (Bell Gardens HS) made nine saves in the game.

Taking on the Vikings, Cerritos was only able to get off 14 shots in the game and had no answer after each goal. Sorrells did make 10 saves, while the team drew eight exclusions but couldn't capitalize on any of them.

Locked in yet another close game, the Falcons lost their of three games by two goals or less in the tournament with their 15-13 setback against Diablo Valley. After a slow first quarter, Cerritos started to make their comeback and were as close as 8-6 with 2:41 left in the first half after a goal from Prata. But, for the second straight quarter, the Vikings scored in the final seconds and took a 9-6 lead into halftime. They held Diablo Valley scoreless with final 4:15 of the third quarter and received a pair of goals from Romero to once again get to within two (12-10) heading into the final eight minutes. A quick goal by Prata to start the quarter made it a 12-11 game and after the teams traded goals over the next six minutes, Cerritos was within striking distance after Magana scored with 1:23 remaining. However, that would be their last tally, as Diablo Valley scored with :14 second left to post the win.

Romero (four goals, three assists, two steals) led Cerritos, with Prata posting three goals. Sorrells turned away 11 shots in the game.

The tournament concluded with another game that went down to the wire. Cerritos held a pair of two-goal leads early in the match and went into halftime on top, 9-8. Modesto scored the first three goals of the third quarter and led, 11-9, with the Falcons scoring twice late in the quarter, including a buzzer-beater by Alvarez and was down, 13-12 heading into the final quarter. A pair of goals by Prata and another by Romero put the Falcons in front, 15-14 with 3:52 remaining. Modesto went on to score the last two goals of the game, including the winner with :37 seconds left.

Romero led the Falcons with eight goals in the game, while Alvarez and Prata each produced three goals, with Alvarez also assisting on seven goals. Sorrells turned away 11 shots against Modesto.