Reedley College's women's soccer Tigers prepared for Central Valley Conference play with a 3-3 tie against the state's 11th ranked team, Pasadena City College on Friday in Pasadena.
The Lady Tigers were ranked 22nd in the state (tied with Central Valley Conference rival West Hills Lemoore) going into the contest. A new poll is expected to be released on Thursday.
A goal by Reedley's Adalene Velasco in the 89th minute tied the Friday contest. The goal, a rebound shot at the goal line, came on an assist from Sabrina Cabrera. It was the first goal of Velasco's collegiate career. The first five goals of the match were all scored in the first half.
"It was a hard-fought game," said Tiger head coach Onesta Francis. "Goalkeeper Sarah Cabrera made at least three top-flight saves. Forward Sabrina Cabrera scored two of the best goals you've ever seen. On the first goal, she dribbled past three players and slotted it past the goalkeeper. The second goal was from 50 yards out."
Two of Pasadena's three goals were scored by Katy Coats, who leads the state in scoring with 22 goals. Coats opened the scoring on a penalty kick in the 13th minute. After Sabrina Cabrera scored the first of her two goals in the 14th minute to tie it, Coats found the net in the 39th minute before Cabrera tied it just over a minute later. "Our defenders made some adjustments and shut her down in the second half," said the coach.
Pasadena regained the lead about 15 seconds later.
It was the fourth tie of the season in 10 matches, leaving them with a 5-1-4 record.
The Tigers will take a season record of 6-2-1 into the Oct. 15 Central Valley Conference opener at Taft. The Cougars are 4-4-2 on the season. Clovis is the only team with a non-conference record of under .500.
On Oct. 1, Reedley used a Kalese Sunamoto goal in the 58th minute to edge Allan Hancock 1-0.
By Will Goldbeck