With intense defense by the Long Beach City College women’s soccer team, they were able to leave with a win for their home game opener on Tuesday afternoon vs Golden West College with a score of 2-1.
The Vikings season opener vs Cypress on Sept 4th didn’t end in a win for the Vikings, but the team used that loss to gain more confidence within each other.
Cypress was ranked second and Vikings were ranked 20th in the country in the preseason national poll.
Although Cypress scored with one minute into the game, Long Beach came back with intensive defense to defend their home field for their home game opener.
Captain for Long Beach, Allison Rose Veloz, made both goals for Vikings with both goals being unassisted.
“I felt great, our first game I felt like we were afraid to make moves, but this game we came out to make plays, and I felt very accomplished” said Veloz.
The team has shown improvements on structure, communication on and off the field, and working as one.
“We have grown progressively as a team since the first few weeks of practice. We’ve gotten a lot better on working hard together and get plays off the ball” she added.
After losing their season opener the team knew what they had to do.
“We came back strong because we needed to defend our field.”
Throughout the game, three yellow cards were called, two being from Long Beach from midfielder Yessenia Hernandez, and defender Emily Barham
Goalkeeper, Almareli Quintero had a total of three saves.
“We need to continue doing what we’re doing as a team and work with each other,” said Quintero.
“We got our win, but we have to continue to work hard at practice and game to move forward”
Although Long Beach secured the win, Head Coach Eduardo Nunes will work on the offenses communication and on the defense not giving up fouls.
“Those little things are what make big differences in games,” said Nunes. “The exciting part is we are nowhere near our best yet, but getting better everyday”.
Vikings are now 1-1 overall, and will play next vs Saddleback College at Orange County Great Park at 3pm.