The Women’s Raiders Soccer team entered their first game of the preseason ready to win, and that they did. The Raiders stole the game with a 6-2 win against Reedley College. With 13 new players, the Raiders are off to a promising season.
Head coach, Jayro Martinez, has extensive experience on and off the field. Martinez coached the boy’s soccer team at Agoura High School prior to Moorpark College, and is also currently coaching the boy’s soccer team at Oaks Christian School. Martinez played professionally on the U.S. National Beach Soccer team and the Salvadorian Indoor and Outdoor National Soccer team.
“It was our first game of preseason,” stated Martinez. “We are coming in with a lot of expectations in regards to what we can do and what we have, but at the same time everybody’s getting to know each other.”
The Raiders started off slow, allowing Reedly to score an early goal, but quickly retaliated with a goal made by freshman Lillie Nice to tie up the game. Moments later, sophomore Alexis Ma scored to put the Raiders up 2-1 at half time.
“It was a step from the last game we just had. Our communication was better, our movement of the ball was better. Overall, we just worked way better together as a group,” said Nice.
The Raiders experienced a wake up call following half time when Reedley scored again, tying the game up 2-2. The Raiders quickly rebounded with a third goal by sophomore Seerat Kang and a fourth goal by freshman Jordyn Rosen.
“This group of girls, they’re hilarious, you can mess around but also take things seriously and I feel like I can go to anybody,” expressed Kang. “Just to talk or to have fun if I need a smile. We’re starting to create that sister bond, it’s not there yet but we are starting to create it, it’s really exciting.”
Holding a 4-2 lead, the Raiders refused to let up and neither did Reedley. After a few close calls, the Raiders pushed back with freshman Sierra Rundini scoring a fifth goal and freshman Carolyn Quandt scoring the final goal of the game.
“We were mentally focused which was good, we were ready to win. I think we are kind of sick of losing so we want to turn it around and we definitely did,” claimed Rosen.
The Raiders will face LA Valley College at home on Sept. 6.
