Valley falls to Canyons in first conference game

The Monarch’s unbeaten home record has been broken

By Sean Scully, Staff Writer

Melanie Velasquez on her way to score the first goal of the team (Christian Cruz | Valley Star)

After a ferocious comeback before halftime against the top team in their Western State-South conference, Valley College women’s soccer team lost 2-3 against the College of the Canyons.

In the initial 25 minutes of the match, the Monarch’s poor ball movement and lack of offensive pressure allowed the Cougars’ star player, Rebekah Brooks, to score twice, bringing the score to 0-2. Despite being down two goals with ten minutes remaining in the first half, Valley refused to give up without a fight.

“We have to start winning in the air at midfield,” shouted Monarch coach Stacey Rodwell from the sidelines. “We’ve lost 10 balls already. We need to press, organize and fight.”

After knocking down a Monarch opponent, a yellow card was given to College of the Canyons player Sacha Marcellin, awarding Valley a free kick. Melanie Velasquez seized the moment with a bending shot into the goal, narrowing the Cougar’s lead by one. Valley managed to battle their way back into the game during the final ten minutes of the first half with an inside shot by Karen Hernandez tying the game.

“It takes a lot of character to comeback two-nil down,” said Monarch Head Coach Greg Venger to the team during halftime. “We can compete with them. ”

Opening the second half, the Cougars came out hungry to restore their lead. Their offense aggressively challenged the ball when it was in the air, maintaining pressure on the Monarchs defense. Monarch goalie Cynthia Femat-Gomez saved nine out of 12 shots on goal while the Cougars’ goalie allowed one third of Valley’s on-target shots to reach the back of the net..

With 10 minutes left in the game, Cougar Presley Williams managed to give her team the lead again by one. College of the Canyons proceeded to run down the clock by making quick passes to keep possession. The final whistle blew with the score at 3-2, breaking Valley’s undefeated record at home.

“I’m super proud of the girls for showing that fight and grit,” said Associate Head Coach Melissa Fernandez during a post-game interview. “It sucks not getting the results that we wanted but if we play like the unit we did today then the future looks bright for us.”

The Monarchs will take on the Owls at Citrus College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.