El Camino women’s soccer defeats Cerritos in South Coast Conference opener

By Elsa Rosales|October 5, 2022

El Camino College Warriors forward Bella Baligad (L) celebrates her goal with midfielder Angelica Taylor on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at ECC Soccer Field. The Warriors defeated the Cerritos College Falcons 3-1 in the South Coast Conference opener. (Elsa Rosales | The Union)

The El Camino Warriors won its first South Coast Conference women’s soccer game of the season after defeating the Cerritos College Falcons 3-1 on Tuesday, at the El Camino College Soccer Field.

Within five minutes from kickoff, a goal by Falcons midfielder/forward Katie Alexander made its way past Warriors goalkeeper Karlee Clark. Thirty minutes later, the Warriors responded with a goal from forward Bella Baligad, assisted by midfielder Angelica Taylor.

El Camino College Warriors midfielder Angelica Taylor (center) races past Cerritos College Falcons defender Mary Morales (R) on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at ECC Soccer Field. Taylor was named to the All-South Coast Conference First Team, South Division in 2021. (Elsa Rosales | The Union)

“We started off a little slow and we kind of took a second to get started, but once we got into the feeling of the game, I feel like we settled down and we really managed to start coming together as a team and push through and get the win,” Taylor said.

The first half would end with the game tied at 1-1.

“Overall, I think we had a little bit of a rocky start with [the Falcons] getting an early goal on us, but I think we’re coming back, coming back stronger with our passes and long goals. Hopefully we can keep that up. I think we’re getting back into it, passing around them more,” Warriors midfielder Julia Ausland said.

Cerritos College Falcons midfielder Lissette Saucedo (L) and assistant referee Jeremy Overstreet look on as El Camino College Warriors midfielder Julia Ausland takes control of the ball on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at ECC Soccer Field. Ausland ended the 2021 season with seven goals, including three game-winning goals, and 23 shots. (Elsa Rosales | The Union)

The second half started with a series of fouls. 20 minutes in, a goal by Warriors defender Gabriella De La Cruz, assisted by defender Alexis Perez-Fonseca, put the Warriors in the lead.

El Camino College Warriors defender Alexis Perez-Fonseca (R) controls the ball as defender Gabriella De La Cruz looks on, on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at ECC Soccer Field. El Camino defeated Cerritos 3-1, and will play on the road against Los Angeles City on Friday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. Perez-Fonseca was named to the All-South Coast Conference Second Team, South Division in 2021. (Elsa Rosales | The Union)

Ten minutes later, a goal from Taylor, assisted by De La Cruz, secured the lead and a win for the Warriors.

El Camino College Warriors (L-R) midfielder Sophia Zaragosa, forward Bella Baligad, forward Allison Sibley, defender Gabriella De La Cruz and defender Alexis Perez-Fonseca celebrate a goal by De La Cruz on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at ECC Soccer Field. De La Cruz was named to the All-South Coast Conference First Team, South Division in 2021. (Elsa Rosales | The Union)

“It was a good battle for both teams. I think Cerritos definitely gave us a good match. We did underestimate them a little bit at the beginning, but I think that we stepped up and both teams were aggressive and the results showed [that],” Perez-Fonseca said.

The Warriors are now 7-2-1 overall and they will play against LA City Cubs Friday at the Los Angeles City College Soccer Field on Friday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m.

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