Before either team could even get settled into the tempo of the game, the Cerritos College women's soccer team was able to strike quickly against visiting El Camino College on Tuesday. Although the Falcons (3-8-3, 1-1-2) ended up in a 1-1 draw with the Warriors in their South Coast Conference South Division game, they now have a chance to make the loudest splash in the state, as they travel to #4-ranked Long Beach City (13-1-0, 5-0-0) in a 4:00 p.m. divisional game on Friday.

On their early goal, sophomore Jenna Santos (St. Joseph HS) worked the ball into the 18-yard box, where she threaded the needle to send a pass to sophomore Ariana Rivera (Long Beach Millikan HS). With ECC goalie Jordan Stemberga coming out to play the ball, Rivera was able to control the ball and knock in her fourth goal of the season.

Cerritos limited El Camino (2-9-3, 1-3-1) to just one shot in the first half, and although they looked to maintain the tempo of the game, one defensive mistake did them in, as the Warriors tied the game in the 64th minute. On the play, Sophia Hudson stole the ball near midfield and went in along against freshman goalkeeper Paulina Prescott (Downey HS). After making the initial save, the ball came free, with Lena Garcia right there to chip in the loose ball to tie the game.

Later in the half, sophomore Sariah Sanchez (La Sierra HS) had a great chance to put the Falcons back in front, as she went in on the side looking for a clean shot. Sanchez was forced into a bad angle and was unable to get off a good shot. Then, in the final minute of the game, Rivera had a good look at the net, but her shot hit the side of the net.

Photos by Daryl Peterson