The Cerritos College Falcons Women’s Soccer team defeats the top ranked and unbeaten Santiago Canyon College Hawks, 2-0, to win the CCCAA State championship on a rainy Dec. 2.
At the end of the first half the score was knotted at 0-0 with both teams’ goalies thwarting several shots.
Each caretaker seemed to swat away or grab incoming shots at every chance.
At the 70th minute of the second half, Cerritos College defender Gaby Zamarripa sent a shot into the Hawk’s net, triggering cheers from the fans of the Falcons, as well as her teammates.
The maneuvers the Falcons players engaged in were the very same regiment that they partook in during Wednesday’s final regular season practice session at Falcon Field.
The drill placed the highest number of players in a position in front of the opposing goal for an opportunity to score when a shot was sent near the goal.
That’s exactly what happened.
Zamarripa repeated the feat in the 86th minute with a shot reminiscent of a football careening off a goal post for the insurance score.
She took the pass from Lauren Nanez and put it right where she had practiced repeatedly over the course of an entire season.
Perfect practice does make for perfect play.
It made over the head of Hawks goalie, Ashley Cooper where it took a great bounce off the upright goal and bounced in.
Nanez shared her jubilation and feelings about the field, weather and game, “It was frustrating towards the end.
“I wish I was kid again to enjoy the slipping and sliding.”
Nanez also commented on the aggressive plays of the Hawks saying, “That’s what they want from you, to fall down, but you just have to keep getting up.”
After the game, Falcons head coach Ruben Gonzalez said, “It was a long season.”
Gonzalez’s comments about the Hawks effort saying, ”You have to give them credit, they’re a great team. They hadn’t lost, we were able to beat them again in the championship.”
Gonzalez concluded saying, “My hat goes off to that team, it could have gone either way.”
At the awards ceremony, Nanez was named the state tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Dr. Dan Smith, dean of athletics, said of the victory, ”Great season, and a lot of hard work.”
Smith also adds, “These girls from the very beginning worked their tails off during the summer, their conditioning is tough and it all leads to this.”
Santiago Canyon College (22-1-1) finished the season with its lone loss to Cerritos College, while the Falcons (21-2-2) completed a great year and a trophy residing in their corner.
