W. Soccer: Seven players earn all-conference honors

Jenna Santos (11) was named of the of the division's Tri-Defensive Players of the Year
Jenna Santos (11) was named of the of the division's Tri-Defensive Players of the Year

For the second season in a row, Cerritos College women's soccer player Jenna Santos (St. Joseph HS) was voted to the All-South Coast Conference South Division 1st Team. Also one of the team's top scorers, Santos was voted as one of the three Defensive Players of the Year in the division. Joining her on the 1st Team were sophomores Jessica Arroyo (Buena Park HS) and Sariah Sanchez (La Serna HS), along with freshman Paula Prescott (Downey HS). Named to the 2nd Team were the trio of sophomores Ariana Rivera (Long Beach Millikan HS) and Maiya Garcia (Gahr HS), as well as freshman Melania Pech (Gahr HS).

Over the course of the season, Santos scored two goals and led the team with eight assists. She was crucial in defending the opposing team's best player and helped clear the ball out of trouble multiple times each game. She also played a key role in helping the team post four shutouts on the year. Prescott, the team's goalkeeper, was the recipient of the strong defensive play and posted a 1.83 goals against average, while her 137 saves this season were the third most in the state, as well as the third most in a season in school history. As for Arroyo, she led the team with seven goals, which included two against Los Angeles Harbor College. Three of her goals were game-winners. One of the more steady players each game, Sanchez was versatile in multiple positions. She dropped back on defense to provide support, while on offense, she recorded three goals with an assist. Her three tallies came in consecutive games, include the game-winner against Los Angeles City College.

Rivera, who was a 1st Team all-conference choice her freshman year, posted five goals and three assists, while she led the team with 33 shots on goal. She had a goal and assist against LA Harbor, while her goal against San Bernardino Valley College in the season-opener was also the winning goal. Another versatile player who the staff relied on for defensive assistance, as well as the ability to move the ball to start offense, Garcia didn't record any points, but started in 16 of the game games in which she appeared. Limited to just 16 games, Pech paired perfectly with Santos on defense and was a steady player in each game she played. Not posting any points for the Falcons, Pech also helped keep opponents off the board as the last line of defense in many games.