The Corsairs Eliminated from Playoffs in Thrilling Penalty Shootout
The Santa Monica College (SMC) women’s soccer team, slated as the No. 13 seed in the playoffs, suffered a heartbreaking upset in the first round of playoffs against the Citrus College Owls, the No.19 seed, on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
The Corsairs previously faced the Owls twice in the 2025-26 season, losing the first match 2-0, followed by a sweeping 6-1 victory. With each team handing the other a loss, rivalry tensions were high coming into Wednesday’s contest.
Just twenty minutes into the first half, Citrus scored their first and only goal, which slipped through the hands of SMC goalie Jaiden Bolosky. Citrus maintained control of ball-possession and attacking plays during the first half. However, SMC truly came to life in the second half
SMC dominated ball-possession throughout the entire half, and with only 15 minutes remaining in the match, SMC capitalized on a penalty kick scored by Lyric Gomez-Muniz. Gomez-Muniz’s goal tied the game at 1-1 going into overtime.
The key to SMC’s reinvigorated success during the second half was offensive intensity and numerous intercepted passes. The Corsairs wielded complete control of midfield, creating many passing opportunities and shots-on-goal near the Citrus goalie box.
Both overtime periods told much the same story as the second half of the match, but neither team was able to score a goal. SMC kept up their fast-paced play and ball control, but the Owls defense proved equally energized and shut down any threats.
More and more pressure built with each passing minute. SMC’s Julia Bailey and Citrus’ Alyssa Quiroz each received yellow cards for “unsporting behavior,” as well as the Citrus assistant coach for “dissent by word or action.”
After 120 minutes of play, the game came down to a penalty shootout. The intensity progressively rose with each subsequent goal. Some fans covered their eyes and faced away from the field, refusing to watch the high-stakes showdown.
Both SMC and Citrus made their first four penalty kicks, leaving just one to determine the fate of the game. That’s precisely when disaster struck.
SMC’s starting defender, Sekai Sardinha, had her penalty blocked by Citrus goalie Liliana Miramontes. It was none other than Miramontes herself who subsequently stepped up and scored the final penalty, ending the game 5-4 and capping SMC’s season.
In the post-game huddle, head coach Aaron Benditson said, “We did everything in our power,” and that penalties were “the worst way to lose this game.” As Citrus players and supporters jumped for joy, SMC players hugged one another amidst many tears.