With two goals in the final 23 minutes, the Cerritos College women's soccer team played to a 4-4 tie with host Monroe (NY) Community College on Friday. The Falcons (2-2-1) will now face the #1 ranked team in the country by United Soccer Coaches among Division I (scholarship) programs, Monroe (NY) College at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday in New Rochelle (NY). Cerritos is part of the Division III (non-scholarship) schools and entered the week ranked #17. The Tribunes (5-2-1) entered the week ranked #15 in the country in Division I.

Monroe CC got on the board first in the 11th minute on a goal by Abby LaRocca, but the Falcons were able to work the ball into the Trubunes territory to even the game. In the 31st minute, sophomore Maria Campos (Paramount HS) fed a pass to sophomore Valeria Corrilo (Dominguez HS), who lofted a shot from the top of the box into the upper corner over an outstretched Meryl Wakefield to knot the game at 1-1.

Prior to halftime, Monroe CC was able to retake the lead when LaRocca beat freshman goalie Melanie Corona (El Rancho HS) in the 41st minute.

Looking to regroup, sophomore Gabriela Jimenez (Los Angeles Jordan HS) was in position to grab a long rebound off a goal kick and fired a shot from the top of the box to once again tie the game. However, Monroe CC scored twice in two minutes to take a 4-2 lead with 26 minutes remaining in the game. The Falcons maintained their composure and pulled to within a goal three minutes later when sophomore Nia Thompson (Kennedy HS/Alabama A&M University) headed home a corner kick from Alessandria Ramirez (Warren HS).

It took just eight more minutes for Cerritos to tie the game, as Jimenez once again was in the right spot on a rebound. She directed a free kick from 40 yards out and chipped the ball into the net in the 76th minute. Both teams were turned away on scoring chances the rest of the way.