The Lady Vaqueros soccer team lost to San Bernardino Valley College 3-1 Friday afternoon at Sartoris Field. The match was a preseason game between the two teams in preparation for Glendale’s conference opener.
The Lady Vaqueros prepared all week for the Lady Wolverines, who were the 2008 Foothill Conference champions.
“We set up the game on Wednesday, Thursday to play this way, to get out of the game 1-0 our way or 1-1, 2-2”. Coach Jorge Mena said.
The Lady Vaqs had a tough time handling San Bernardino’s intense offense. The Wolverines have beaten PCC 10-0,and El Camino 8-1 this year already. “We’re really playing a great powerhouse right here, it’s a great team. I knew what I was getting into,” said Coach Mena.
The Lady Wolverines displayed their strong ability by dominating the first half with repetitive waves of attacks. Lady Vaquero’s goalie, Justina Pereida, managed to save a number of shot attempts from the former conference champs, but was caught off guard with the games’ first goal, a chip shot over Pereida delivered by Wolverines forward Sarahi Bransford in the 35th minute.
The Lady Vaqs opened the second half strong, stretching SBVC players across the field and earning a couple of clear shot attempts and free kicks. The Lady Vaqs tied the game with a remarkable deep free kick scored by Natalie Diaz in the 41st minute. “Natalie, that’s her strength. We’ve been having a lot of shots from some set plays and that’s one of our strengths,” said Mena. “It’s expected. We got at least five or six girls that can take shots from different angles. Great goal for her.”
Both teams played extremely aggressively forcing multiple high kicks, leaping headers and collisions, but injuries were something the Lady Vaqs had to avoid. “They have more depth than we do, this is our third preseason game, this is their sixth. We open up conference in four weeks. “I don’t want to pick up any injuries, so I need to play very smart,” Mena replied regarding the rough play.
SBVCs’ Patricia Aguilar was penalized with the game’s only yellow card drawn for an illegal slide tackle from behind in the 25th minute of the second half.
Assertively maneuvering the ball to penetrate the Vaqs’ defense, the Lady Wolverines managed to get by GCC’s sturdy defense and find the back of the net for two more goals in less than five minutes.
The Lady Wolverine’s second goal came in the 14th minute with a soft second tap-in for the goal.
Moments later, a third successful strike by forward Lizeth Diaz sealed the game. Both shots opened up due to the high defensive pressure set from the Lady Vaqs. “We had it, but they’re a great team. this shows that we also have potential. We’re going to be a good and competitive team,” said Mena.
Concluding the game, Mena acknowledged the teams’ strong defense and also was happy with the level of intensity the Lady Vaqs brought. “We got a lot out of this game, trust me. Confidence wise, they believe in themselves. We needed to work as a unit and they did that today. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Sometimes you play well and you still lose the game.”
The Lady Vaqueros preseason record is 0-1-2. Their next game is Friday at East Los Angeles College.
