Giants Women’s Soccer Splits Opening Matches on the Road

The College of the Sequoias women's soccer team kicked off their 2024 season with a pair of away games, achieving a split record to start the year. 

COS 3, American River 0 

In their season opener, the Giants traveled to American River College on August 23, 2024. They secured an impressive 3-0 victory. College of the Sequoias' secured a 3-0 victory. The offense started strong as Jimena Rivera (Golden West HS) opened the scoring just 1 minute and 30 seconds into the game, assisted by America Lopez (Exeter HS). The Giants continued to apply pressure throughout the match, leading to two more goals in the second half. Lopez found the back of the net in the 59th minute, assisted by Brooke Navarette (Redwood HS), and Jocelyn Arellano (Redwood HS) sealed the win with an unassisted goal at the 62-minute mark . 

Haylie Brasil (Manteca, CA), the Giants' goalkeeper, was in stellar form, making three saves to keep American River off the scoreboard. The Sequoias' defense held strong, preventing any serious threats from the American River Beavers. 

Lake Tahoe 3, COS 2  

Three days later, the Giants traveled to face a tougher challenge as they took on the Lake Tahoe Coyotes. The Giants conceded an early goal in the 10th minute to Leslie Jacobo-Duran of Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe extended their lead to 2-0 in the second half before the Giants responded with a goal by America Lopez, assisted by Ammerie Calvo (El Diamante HS), in the 65th minute. 

Despite a strong effort and a late unassisted goal by Amber Cole (Lemoore HS) in the 80th minute to bring the Giants within one, Lake Tahoe held on for a 3-2 victory. Haylie Brasil made two saves, but the early deficit proved too much for the Giants to overcome . 

The Sequoias now hold a 1-1 record as they prepare for their next set of games. The team showed promising signs in both matches, with strong offensive play and solid goalkeeping. The Giants will look to build on their opening performances as they return to the practice field to fine-tune their strategies for the upcoming fixtures. The Giants next home game will be a doubleheader against Allan Hancock College as the Women's play at 12 p.m. and the Men's play at 2 p.m. in Sequoias Stadium.  

Stay tuned for more updates as the Giants continue their journey through the season.