All on the Field

Glendora, CA - For 90 minutes on Thursday afternoon, the Citrus College and Santa Monica College Women's Soccer programs left it all on the field in their first round meeting in the 2015 CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs. In the end though it was the Corsairs who came out on top, with a 1-0 victory inside Citrus Stadium.

Both teams set a brisk pace on the afternoon. Each team took three shots in the first half, but that didn't do the action on the field justice, as each team took turns putting together meaningful possessions that were snuffed out by the opposing defenses. When the center official blew his whistle signifying the end of the first half, both teams were still searching for a score.

In the second half, the tension on the field only intensified in a positive way. Both squads made daring runs that resulted in some good looks on goal, but both were left empty handed until Santa Monica landed a fatal blow in the 61st minute. Sophomore striker Tyler Fields, who had been giving a game Citrus back line fits all afternoon, finally shook free of one of her two shadows and found herself with a only a singular defender and keeper Amber Henry to beat. Fields moved parallel to the goal at the top of the box, turned on a dime, and sent a shot flying to the opposite corner of the net, just out of reach for Henry. 

The Owls would get a couple of looks late including a pair of shots from freshmen Nicole Graham that sailed just wide, and a shot on goal from freshman Jaline Miranda that was saved by SMC keeper Brittany Smith. Alas it wasn't meant to be for the Owls. When the final whistle blew, Citrus was still left scoreless. In the loss, Henry had another monster effort between the posts with three saves and clearing up numerous crosses. 

With the loss, Citrus' 2015 season ends with a 10-6-5 record.