Tiger Women's Soccer made program history with an epic 2-1 first-round playoff win at Fresno City College on Saturday!  This is the 2nd consecutive year the Tigers have won a first round playoff game.  However this is the first win in program history over the Rams which makes it extra special.  The Tigers go on the road vs the Folsom Lake College Falcons on Tuesday at 5pm. The game will be live-streamed at 

https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ca/folsom/organization/49824/folsom-lake-college/watch?ib=775252

Reedley College started the women's soccer program back in 2017.  The first year the Tigers finished the season 0-14-2 and lost to the Rams 12-1 and 15-0 in CVC play. Over the years, the Tigers have been steadily progressing and improving.  In 2021 the Tigers held the Rams to a 0-0 scoreline at helf time before eventually falling 1-0 in conference play.  This season the Tigers tied the Rams a their place 0-0 and lost a nail-biter 2-3 in the return leg of conference play at home.  Overall the Tigers finished the 2023 regular season with an overall record of 12-7-1 and finishing 3rd in the Central Valley Conference (CVC) at 9-6-1.

But the "3rd-time proved to be the Charm" this year.--and for "all the marbles"!  The game was tight in the early moments of the game with both teams attacking and defending tough.  However the Tiger's opened the game up in the 34th minute on a buildup down the left flank the resulted in a nice header from Krista Casas with a very nice assist by Jennifer Martinez.   The first half would end 1-0 and the Tigers came out just as strong in the 2nd half.  Goal Keeper Areal Galvan finished the half with 5 saves when she was subbed out at half for Natalie Duran--a bold move by Coach Francis that paid off dividiends.

In the 61st minute the Tigers would double their lead on a counter attack that saw Naz Nunez send a brilliant ball to forward Diana Rico who chipped in a left footer from outside the box in the upper right corner. But the Rams would not be denied and shortly after in the 71st minute they converted a corner kick and cut the lead in half.  The Rams continued to press with the Tigers holding onwith players like Batres, Ledesma, and Maritnez thwarting attack after attack by the Rams.  At one point the Tigers gave up 5 consecutive corner kicks but managed to keep the ball out of the net.  There was a difinite shift in momentum for FCC. The Rams almost tied the game with a great shot from outside the box to the far post, but GK Duran came up with a game-saving fingertip save that careened of the post and out for another corner kick.  Both teams were relentless in their determination and after 4 agonizing "injury-time" minutes the TIgers made history with their first-ever win over the Rams and a spot on the next round of 3C2A NorCal Playoffs.  

Both teams played valiantly, but this rainy day was for the underdogs!  In all it was a team effort by everyone and a testimony to the hard work and determination that the Tiger Women's Soccer program has shown over the years steadily improving step by step, piece by piece.  "We are all so proud" said Coach Francis.... "We know City is a great team and we know you have to bring your best every time you play them".   "We'll take the weekend to celebrate and then focus on the next opponent which will also be a big test for us to try and get by this 2nd round of playoffs". 

WAY TO GO TIGERS!!