The Santa Rosa Junior College women’s soccer team saw out a well-deserved 3-1 win over Modesto College to move to 3-1 in conference play at home on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The match celebrated Pride as members, allies, friends and family to any and all of the LGBTQ+ Community. Players accessorized to show their support to the community.
Going into the match, the Bear Cubs looked to build on an impressive 2-1 win against former state champions, Folsom Lake.
“Coming off a huge road win on Friday, you never know what that follow-up game is going to look like, so we just talked about focusing on the details – be consistent about what we did well on Friday and to carry it over to this game and you know taking it one game at a time,” head coach Crystal Chaidez said.
Similarly, Modesto hoped to continue their winning ways, building on their 2-1 win over American River.
As the first half started, the opening exchanges were nervy with Modesto having a majority of the possession, pinning the Bear Cubs in their own half. Important blocks from defender Jocelyn Rojas-Garfias provided the needed momentum boost for the Bear Cubs.
Soon after, midfielder Mia Carra tested the Modesto goalkeeper and allowed SRJC to have a foothold in the game. This paid off, as the Bear Cubs got on the scoreboard first around the 15 minute mark, courtesy of forward Taylor Gandy tapping in a loose ball after strike partner Shae Doughtery had her shot saved.
Things went from bad to worse for Modesto when Dougherty doubled the Bear Cubs’ advantage, smashing home a loose ball after Rojas-Garfias swung in a dangerous freekick. As the Bear Cubs were on the rise, their high-intensity pressing forced errors out of Modesto’s backline. This confident play rooted from the Bear Cubs’ defense, with Cassidy Avila and and Rojas-Garfias having composed, steady displays, not allowing Modesto to have many shots on target. The half ended 2-nil.
The second 45 started perfectly, as the Bear Cubs extended their lead when Dougherty headed home the third from a lofted in free kick, Rojas-Garfias claiming the assist. The Bear Cubs maintained pressure, looking to turn the match into a rout.
A couple half chances and pop shots tested Modesto’s goalkeeper as SRJC threatened to further their advantage. Eventually, against the run of play, Modesto nodded home a goal from a dangerous corner, courtesy of Sienna Jones, reducing the deficit to 3-1. This reinvigorated the visiting side, as they forced goalkeeper Brooklyn Marten into multiple quick saves, nearly scoring again during a chaotic scramble on the goal line following another corner.
The later stages of the half saw the Bear Cubs’ game management come into play as they held the ball in midfield, time wasted at the corner flag, and defended neatly to maintain their two goal lead. Despite a few chances, defender/midfielder Natalie Ortiz came close to scoring a fourth, placing her shot just wide of the target. The match ended 3-1.
Midfielder/forward Olivia Hohnstein spoke on her role in the team and the team’s strengths.
“I love it [the responsibility of playing in midfield],” Hohnstein said. “One of our biggest assets is our midfield and we love to have the ball at our feet. Our midfield are our biggest distributors. The more we have the ball the more successful we are.”
The Bear Cubs will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 25 at Sacramento City.
