ELAC women’s soccer steadfast defense leads to draw with Nation’s No. 14 team

WHITTIER, Calif. — The East Los Angeles College Huskies women’s soccer team played to a 1-1 draw vs. Rio Hondo College who is No. 14-nationally ranked by the United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division-III.

The come-from-behind stunner gives the Huskies a 3-1-1 record in the last five games with their only loss to the No. 1 team in the Nation, Cerritos College (17-0). ELAC lost to Cerritos 4-0 on Tuesday. Only one other team scored less during Cerritos’ span of 16 shutouts this season.

Rio Hondo (10-1-4, 4-0) jumped out to an early lead five minutes into the game. Freshman forward Danielle Moore (Lynwood High School) scored a goal assisted from a cross by freshman forward Zharria Ramirez (Los Altos HS).

In the 40th minute, freshman forward Perla Navarro (Fremont HS) knotted the score 1-1, which remained tied heading into the locker room. Navarro has scored eight of the last 12 Husky goals.

The Huskies (5-6-4, 1-3-1) controlled their destiny in the second half. Their defense made the difference in the game.

Both sides traded chances in the final 45 minutes. ELAC did a good job of closing the lanes while Rio Hondo was on the attack and in an unfamiliar position, scrambling to escape with a win. Rio Hondo took 30 shots in the game. ELAC’s attacks were impressive almost hitting net twice but missing inches wide.

Sophomore goalkeeper Adriana Huerta (South East HS) shined in the net today for ELAC as did the Husky wall in front of her. Huerta had five saves, which helped ELAC keep the draw intact throughout the second half. The Huskies defense completed the job and with the tie and ELAC stunned one of the nation’s best.

In other SCC North action today, Chaffey College (11-2-2, 4-0) won 4-0 over Pasadena City College (1-10-3, 0-4) and Mt. SAC (8-8, 2-2) had a bye in conference.

UP NEXT

The Huskies play rival Pasadena City College on Wednesday Oct. 30 at Jackie Robinson Stadium. A win pulls the Huskies to an even a .500 record.

Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).

story submitted by Tadzio Garcia