Soccer

Team unity sparks La Verne win

La Verne forward Falisha Ramirez beats Pomona-Pitzer defender Jordan Bryant to the ball Saturday. Ramirez has scored 18 of the Leopard’s 25 goals this season. She contributed two more goals plus an assist in the Leopards’ 3-1 victory over the Sagehens. / photo by Christopher Guzman
La Verne forward Falisha Ramirez beats Pomona-Pitzer defender Jordan Bryant to the ball Saturday. Ramirez has scored 18 of the Leopard’s 25 goals this season. She contributed two more goals plus an assist in the Leopards’ 3-1 victory over the Sagehens. / photo by Christopher Guzman

Yessenia Romo
Staff Writer

The women’s soccer team outlasted Pomona-Pitzer, 3-1, on Oct. 24 at La Verne.

The win was also the team’s third Southern California Intercolleg­iate Athletic Conference win of the season and fifth overall.

The first goal of the game came from Falisha Ramirez during the 39th minute of the first half.

Pomona-Pitzer then swiftly answered with a goal by sophomore midfielder Katy Metcalf three minutes later.

La Verne junior midfielder Ashley Vanga scored the second goal in the seventh minute of the second half with an assist by Ramirez to put the Leopards ahead 2-1.

La Verne goalkeeper Brigette Jennings put up a fierce defense in the second half, blocking shots made by the Pomona-Pitzer offense.

The final goal of the game was kicked in by Ramirez, extending the La Verne lead to 3-1.

Overall, Ramirez has scored two goals in each of the last four games and has 18 for the season.

The team thinks the turnaround is due to a change in attitude by the women.

“We are enjoying it again,” Ramirez said.

The team found fun in playing the game again, Costello said.

The team has tried different activities to bond with each other and have tried to make playing as fun as possible.

“We have to keep playing with heart, without giving up,” said La Verne sophomore midfielder Stasy Muratalla.

According to freshman defender Jasmine Suarez, they now have a new team pet, a stuffed leopard named Gus Gus, that has helped them have a little more fun during games and practices.

The team celebrated its Senior Day during the game as well.

During halftime, the team took pictures, and the seniors were recognized by their teammates.

The team and the players’ parents had posters and flowers for the senior girls.

“It’s sad, I don’t think it will hit me until the final game,” Ramirez said.

“It’s awesome to get recognized,” Amanda Costello, senior midfielder, said. “These are the last games you play with everything you’ve got.”

The Leopards will be at Redlands at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Yessenia Romo can be reached at yessenia.romo@laverne.edu.

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