The Cerritos College Falcons put on the “Cerritos offensive,” taking a staggering 24 shots on goal in a 6-0 blowout at Oxnard College on Thursday afternoon.
The Falcons have won back-to-back state championships and won the national championship in 2008. The number-one ranked team in the nation held Oxnard College to only four shots on goal the entire game and played like state champions, overpowering the unorganized Condors.
The Condors were outplayed from the beginning, giving up their first shot on goal two minutes into the game, before giving up their first goal in the 18th minute on a corner kick by forward Nancy Gandarilla that was headed into the net. Less than a minute later, Gandarilla’s outlet pass to midfielder Victoria Florez made it 2-0 in favor of the Falcons.
The Falcons scored their first four goals in nine minutes on great passing, always remaining on the offensive against an under-manned Condors team that did not seem to be able to keep up with the Falcons’ quickness and athleticism.
Condors’ goalie Antonia Barrios was pulled from the goal in the 23rd minute after misplaying a ball that resulted in a goal for the Falcons. Crystal Cortez replaced her, giving up two goals in a game where nothing seemed to be going right. On top of this, the Condors lost key defender Natalie Magana in the 2nd half to a hamstring injury.
Magana believed that the sluggish play was a result of not being accustomed to playing with one another.
“We’re not used to playing with each other yet,” Magana said. “All we need is a little practice to get to know each other a little better.”
First-year head coach Dario Pot has his work cut out for him, as the Condors continue to struggle to find a potent offense.
Magana suggested ways her team could improve their inconsistent play on the field.
“We need to mark up on our players and play tight,” she said.
The Falcons improved to 4-0-0 on the year, and have continually shown why they have won back-to-back championships.
Gandarilla had one goal and two assists, while Florez added one goal and an assist.
The Condors host Pasadena College on Friday, Sept. 11 at 4:00 p.m., where they hope they can become more accustomed to playing with one another.
