SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The SBCC women's soccer team put together one of its most impressive showings of the year on Tuesday afternoon, knocking off WSC South leader LA Pierce 3-0 for its fourth shutout in five games.
The Vaqueros (8-5-3, 4-2-3) handed the Bulls (9-4-4, 5-3-2) just their second loss over the last month. Forwards Theresa English (12th minute) and Natani Kent-Earle (59th and 87th) led the offensive charge as both moved into a tie for second on the team with five goals scored this season.
"The women played very well against a competitive LA Pierce team that had been playing well," head coach John Sisterson said. "The midfield all played well and it was good to see Theresa score a good goal in the first half."
SBCC more than doubled LA Pierce in both shots (11-5) and shots on target (7-3). One of the Vaqueros' first attempts of the day saw English take it by herself before firing it in to open the scoring in the 12th minute.
A corner kick from forward Sofia Orozco in the 59th minute would find the head of defender Bella Loflin, whose calm header directed it right to Kent-Earle in front of goal for a strong tap-in to make it 2-0.
The Bulls didn't see very many chances, but the Vaqueros did end up needing one incredible diving save from goalkeeper Analea Pule in the second half to keep the shutout. Pule finished with three saves.
In the final minutes, Orozco picked up a loose ball at midfield, looked up and dropped in a beauty through the air to Kent-Earle. The former Bishop Diego High School standout bodied her defender as she took it in off the bounce, eventually sliding a left-footed strike right past the keeper to the far post, capping the 3-0 victory.
"Natani did a great job to add two more in the second," Sisterson said. "The defense didn't concede again with Analea making a great save in the second half. A good performance, and the women are coming together just at the right time with the playoffs in our sights."
The Vaqueros have not lost a single match since they last faced the Bulls back on Oct. 8, going 3-0-3 over their last six contests. They will be back at La Playa Stadium this Friday for their home finale against Allan Hancock at 7:00 p.m.
