SMC Women’s Soccer Take home the win 5-0
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Women’s soccer team showed strength in their continued defensive dominance in a match against the Glendale College Vaqueros, winning their sixth home game of the season 5-0, where they didn’t allow a single goal.
Coming off a win in their last game, a 2-1 victory against West LA, the Corsairs carried their offensive and defensive momentum into Friday, Oct. 3, with a new record of 5-0-5.
Within the first 10 minutes, the Corsairs set the tone as they scored an early goal by sophomore forward Erika Bautista.
Through the first half, the Corsairs and the Vaqueros held firm, both teams pushing the other from attacks. The first 45-minute round ended with the Corsairs leading 2-0.
Right after halftime, the Corsairs didn’t hold back and took control early. Midfielder Lyric-Gomez Muñez continued to dominate the field and scored the third goal for the Corsairs with a well-placed assist by Alysa Bagdasaryn.
The Corsair team went on the attack and played together as they consecutively continued to score, through and through. The Vaqueros made several attempts to push and secure a point, but were unsuccessful.
Corsairs' Ashton St. Claire, with an assist by Julia Bailey, teamed up and executed a defense game plan to make the goal-keeper run, just with a straight kick to the top left of the net. Corsairs fought hard until the end, with an effective, coordinated press that advanced towards a 3-on-3 situation. After two 45-minute halves, the game ended with another Corsair win, scoring 5-0.
When asked how the Corsairs' defense contributed to the shutout, head coach Aaron Benditson said, “Being really strong defensively, because you're always going to give yourself a chance to be able to win games.” He added, “I was proud of how the girls did an excellent job on the call, and stepping their level up on both sides of the ball.”
Key players from both teams made a significant impact throughout the game. For the Corsairs, “Alexa Burr’s enthusiasm throughout the season really stood out the most,” according to Benditson. For the Glendale Vaqueros, it was Natalie Ramirez who helped her team’s defense as well.
Benditson was encouraged by the number of goals the Corsair was able to secure. “It shows a lot about us people, our character. So, credit to the girls, they did that today,” he said.
The next game for the Corsair women’s team was Tuesday, Oct. 7, against the Owls at Citrus College. For more information regarding SMC’s soccer games and athletics, visit SMC’s athletics website at https://www.smccorsairs.com/sports/wsoc/index.