The Yuba College women’s soccer team cooled down after getting off to a fast start, but still advanced to the playoffs with a 14-5-4 record. The 49ers were led by Sara Parra who scored 16 goals and had 18 assists. They succeeded defensively with goalies Erin Cunningham and Krystal Gualco, who had a 1.25 goals-against average.
The 49ers defeated Cosumnes River 2-1 in the first round of the Northern California Regional Playoffs and will play Sierra College (17-1-4) on Saturday in the second round. Chrissy Gundrum scored the first goal and tied the game at 1-1 on a corner kick by Parra.
Anna Ramos scored the game winning goal that advanced the 49ers to the second round of the playoffs.
“Liz (Jacobsen), Myrna (Guzman) and Stephanie (Vega) defense kept them in the game,” said men’s soccer player Patrick Silva. “They didn’t let the (Cosumnes) players breathe.”
“I think the girls defense has improved the most since the start of season,” said men’s player Jon Lam. “They seem to be reacting better to the ball and even sped up their game.”
Goalie Erin Cunningham, who does double duty with the basketball team, pitched in with 13 saves including one on a breakaway. The road through the rest of the playoffs doesn’t get much easier with a trip to Rocklin to play the top seeded Sierra College. Sierra is lead by dangerous scorer Genevieve Hollis and Goalie Lindsay Seck.
“Sierra is going to come all out with everything they have,” said men’s defense player Eric Evans. “The girls have the talent and the confidence, but they’re going to have to step it up against Sierra.”
The 49ers have played incredible all season and always played at a superior level. Their long season is almost over and no matter where they finish in the playoffs, their great season cannot be taken away.
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