Vikings women’s soccer team defeated 3-0 by Chaffey College in home opener

The Vikings women’s soccer team lost 3-0 against Chaffey College Panthers for their first home game on Sept. 2.

The Chaffey College Panthers scored two goals within the first five minutes of the match. 

“I think just early on, we just kind of weren’t ready. I just think that our shape defensively got stretched out. … I just don’t think we were switched on early on,” Vikings head coach Tino Nunez said.

The Vikings were unable to put the ball into the net, despite maintaining the majority of possession throughout the game.

“I think, offensively, we just need to be more eager to go to the goal and be more confident on the ball,” forward for the Vikings Lorena Moreno said. 

Even though the Vikings were putting more shots on goal than the Panthers, all nine attempted shots were blocked by the Panthers’ goalie Isabella Ortiz. 

^{Sophomore defender Kamren Velazquez follows teammate Arabella Rosales as she bring the ball downfield against the Chaffey Panthers on Sept. 2. The Vikings lost their home opener match 3-0. (Bella Schultz)}

Defender Charlotte Grace is a leader for the Vikings team and recognized areas where improvements can be made.

“It’s our first few games as a new team, so I think a lot of the girls are just still getting to know each other… definitely a lack of communication in there,” Grace said. 

Nunez believed that with improved communication and less defensive lapses, the team will come back better prepared for the rest of the season. 

“… if we can learn from it, apply it to the next game, take this early loss and be better moving on forward. I mean we created a chance, we were there, we just have to do better job of finishing,” Nunez said.

^{LBCC midfielder Sky Demelo battles for the ball with a Chaffey midfielder on Sept. 2. The Vikings lost 3-0 against Chaffey College at Long Beach City College. (Emma Rojas)}

The Vikings currently have a record of 3-1 and will play their next game against The College of Desert at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

“As leaders on the team, I feel like as a collective this is just a start and it’s gonna get better from here,” Moreno said.