MiraCosta College Women's Soccer Defeats El Camino

The MiraCosta College women's soccer team took on the El Camino College Warriors and earned a 1-0 victory.

The Spartans started the game with intensity and despite not scoring a goal dominated possesion over the first 30 minutes. Early on Tatianna Correia dribbled from her defensive position with a demanding presence and took a shot on goal. The Spartans connected well with each other while in the 23rd minute, Mandy Lara found Lissete Bahena out wide. Bahena then out maneuvered the defender and crossed the ball back into Lara on the 18 yard line. In the 30th minute, El Camino had an opportunity, but was denied by the Spartans goalkeeper, Jordyn Melo, who finished with the shutout and eight total saves. In the last 5 minutes of the first half, MiraCosta kept possession and continued to find shots, but came up empty as they entered halftime tied 0-0.

The Spartan defense looked strong, anchored by Melo, Correia, Myla McKeague, Casey Martinez, and Briar Van Slyke.  The back line held the Warriors to very few scoring opportunities over the course of the 90 minute match.

Early in the second half Lara found multiple opportunities for shots on goal. The Spartans continued to win the possession game and in the 54th minute Karla Gonzalez controlled the ball in midfield and charged at El Camino to find Lara between the defensive line. Lara's shot was unsuccessful, but the momentum was clearly on MiraCosta's side. Aleah Minnich kept the midfield together as the Spartans continued to create opportunities for shots. In the 72nd minute, a great ball came from Karla Gonzalez out wide and found its way into the 18 yard box where Zoe Mittlehauser capatalized on it for the Spartans first goal.

MiraCosta kept the majority of the possession in the last minutes of the game and when the final whistle blew, the Spartans had done enought to win 1-0. With the win MiraCosta improves their overall record to 2-2.  The Spartans will next be in action on Tuesday September 14 at home against Grossmont College.  This game will mark the beginning of Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play and will begin at 4PM.