The Cerritos College Falcons women’s soccer team outlasted the Pirates of Ventura College, 3-1 in a double overtime win at home on Nov. 24.

Earlier in the day, its counterpart, the men’s team dropped a heartbreaking 2-0 marathon to Mt. San Antonio College in the first of back-to-back double overtime games.

However, the overjoyed women Falcons were happy to be heading into the California Community College Final Four at Mount SAC on Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.

They will face Sierra College of Rocklin, an 2-0 winner over Fresno City College earlier in the day, the former top seed in the north.

The first half, the ball bounced back and forth between the two goal lines with 21 shots on goal for the Falcons while the Pirates had 9 themselves.

Play seemed sluggish throughout the first half for the Cerritos College women’s soccer team.

Pirates freshman goalie (wearing in honor of Taylor C’debaca) Katelyn White said of the conditions, “We play the game, not the occasion.”

Of the nearly two dozen balls kicked her way, White commented, “It was nerve-wrecking at times, but you have to be confident and be there for your team.”

White was able save 9 of the hardest kicked balls the Falcons sent toward the Pirates goal.

The others went wide or were deflected by Pirate defenders.

Three were able to find the net, with two in overtime.

Before the game started, Ventura College head coach Steve Hoffman said, “I think the (temperature) will have a little effect on our players.”

Hoffman also added, “We’re from the ocean.”

Ventura had All-American forward Daisy Cordona for Cerritos to contend with.

The Falcons defense limited her to only one attempt at the Cerritos College goal.

Among the players Hoffman focused his team’s attention toward were No. 4 Karina Sandoval, No. 7 Lauren Nanez, No. 9 Claudia Ibarra, No. 10 Claudia Lopez, and No. 15 Lyanna Farran.

The scoreless tie was broken in the 66th minute when Pirates midfielder Guadalupe Magana sent a shot over Falcons goalie Maria Santoyo’s head as she was running out to get the ball.

The Falcons kept their cool and stepped up their attack, being rewarded a goal by Lopez in the 72nd minute.

Regulation time ended with both teams knotted at a goal apiece.

The teams would play two additional 15-minute periods, with the winner advancing to the California Community College Final Four on Nov. 30.

In the 93rd minute, Falcons forward Jazmin Aquas received a high pass lofted from Sandoval, which allowed Aquas to capitalize and score, breaking the tie and giving a boost to the Falcons and its fans.

Fatigue seemed to catch up with the visiting Pirates as the Falcons continued to press the ball towards Ventura’s net.

Cerritos College leading scorer Nanez was rewarded with a perfect pass from defender Gabriela Zamarripa from the sideline where she proceeded to send a grounder into the left side of the goal to give the Falcons an insurance goal.

As time expired, a jubilant sideline erupted with cheers.

The Falcons’ first opponent in the California Community College Final Four is Sierra College.

Kickoff is slated for Friday Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at Mount San Antonio College.