Corsairs Finally Meet Their Match
Akemi Rico | Social Media Editor
Women’s soccer concedes to Cypress after a nine-game winning streak.
On Saturday, Nov. 25, the Santa Monica College Corsairs womens’ soccer team suffered a crushing defeat against the Cypress College Chargers in the third and final round of the 3C2A Southern California Regionals. The final score was a hard-fought 3-2.
“It was a historic season,” said head coach Aaron Benditson. “It ended in a super-emotional game, highs and lows, back and forth. We were right there until the very end.”
The first half ended in a 1-1 tie. In the 60th minute, the Chargers broke that tie with a score by Itzel Ramirez. The Corsairs followed with another goal by Breanne Maldonado to even it up 16 minutes later. But in the final five minutes, the Chargers’ Janae Kayser scored one more for the win.
Assistant coach Keola Paredes said, “It’s heartbreaking because we were so close. It’s a tough way to go out. But I’m so proud of the team. They gave everything today against a really tough opponent. This was a nine-game winning streak we were on to get to this point.”
“This game was one very big challenge and we came in knowing that and it was unfortunate. Both teams played hard. For sure it was one of our best seasons. We’ve never gotten this far. So for us to have just come to this point, there’s nothing much more than to be grateful,” said assistant coach Yosemite Cruz.
After the game, players gathered with family and friends who had come to Cypress to watch. George Agapitos, father of center midfielder Lia Agapitos, said, “The girls had a great season, it was historic. They did very well today and I’m very proud of all of them. They came up against a great team and they gave it all they had. We’re really really proud of them.”
“Not really the result we wanted today, but I think it was a hard game. Honestly, they deserved it. They are a really good team, and there’s nothing much I can ask for from my teammates. We had a really good season and it’s all we can ask for,” said defender Bella Velazco.
