Huskies Stop Falcons’ 32-Game Unbeaten Streak with 1-0 Win

Provided by Al Cone, East Los Angeles College

MONTEREY PARK – The East Los Angeles College women's soccer team stunned the nation's No. 1 ranked team Tuesday, edging previously unbeaten Cerritos College, 1-0 in a South Coast Conference opening game at ELAC.

The Huskies ended Cerritos' unbeaten streak at 32 games – a run that started during the 2012 season. The win was also ELAC's first against Cerritos in Coach Tessa Troglia's six years as coach.

"Our players were determined and fought hard for 90 minutes today," said Troglia, whose team improved to 4-2-1 on the season.

ELAC's Carla Quijada scored on a chip shot over the goalkeeper from 18 yards out in the game's 76^th minute to break a scoreless tie. Quijada took a pass from Crystal Montoya from 35 yards out, penetrated and scored her eighth goal of the season.

Led by goalkeeper Arlien Sanchez, the Huskies' tenacious defense made it stand. Sanchez recorded six goalie saves. Arye Looney, Lisa Lopez and Diana Ruiz delivered solid play on the backline.                                                                                                                    

Cerritos (6-1) came into the game, having defeated College of Lake County, 16-0 Sept. 21 during a two-game road trip to Illinois.

"We were organized in the back and got a good effort from a few other individuals like Blakely Finesec, who used her skill and speed to get up forward and get us in their backfield," Troglia said. "Estella Becerra and Montoya were really a huge part of what was really a true team effort."

ELAC plays El Camino in a South Coast Conference game at 2 p.m. Friday at El Camino.

Photo by Mario Villegas