Muscling through a lethargic first half Tuesday, the Warriors established solid communication to match a solid core of talent, beating the East L.A. Huskies 3-1.
The result of a great practice Monday, the Warriors gathered themselves and regained a sense of urgency in the second half of what could have been a disappointing loss.
“(East L.A.) was more physical, but we found our groove,” coach Jaymie Baquero said.
On the tie against Long Beach Sept. 30, the game was not out of the women’s hands yet they could not take advantage of the opportunities they were opening up.
“We just did not capitalize on our chances against Long Beach,” Baquero said. “We needed to keep up the pressure, we weren’t playing give and go’s. We finally had some intensity, although it is tough coming back from being down a goal.”
Working on a good practice Monday and bringing it to the game the following game is a positive sign that the Warriors were able to translate it to the game.
“The first half (East L.A. College) was more determined to win,” Baquero said.
A collision between forward Sammy Mauricio and an opposing sweeper did not stop her from finishing out the last 15 minutes of the ELAC game with a pulled groin muscle and cramps, showing the grit and hunger of a team scorned by missing the playoffs last year.
“In the first half we did not communicate much, we did not pass the ball,” Mauricio said.
“We realized going into the second half that we did not want to lose or tie, so we came out strong,” Mauricio said.
It was not the talk at halftime of the Huskies game that got them off to a hot start in the second half, it was the players talking to each other and figuring out what needed to be done.
“Fitness is a factor, especially the games at home, being able to handle the heat,” Mauricio said.
Just in time for the conference season, the Warriors are clicking as a team and getting the timing down with short passes.
“We had to want it, want to win, so we showed it in the second half,” sophomore forward Ashley Martin said.
Martin is taking in extra training before tomorrows game against conference opponent Cerritos College, with an emphasis on quickness, control and shooting.
“Knowing they are going to be there talking more, being first to the ball, it makes a difference stepping in front of the player,” Martin said.
The women still have to deal with nagging injuries, yet have not let up as far as teamwork.
“If we can play like we did in the second half (against ELAC), I am confident we can make the playoffs,” Martin said.
The women will travel to Cerritos tomorrow before hosting rival L.A. Harbor on Tuesday.
