April 2, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Corsairs Begin Soccer Season on Friday: Santa Monica College Soccer Won’t Let This Season Slip Away

After going 12-2-5 in the 2010 regular season, the SMC Lady Corsairs soccer team met El Camino in the first round of Southern Section Regional Playoffs.

The Corsairs dominated every facet of the game but couldn’t find a way to score. Three different kicks hit the goal post.

Then, late in the second half with less than 15 minutes in regulation, El Camino scored what would be the winning goal to end SMC’s season prematurely.

“Soccer is an unforgiving game sometimes,” said SMC Coach Aaron Benditson.

This year’s Corsairs will not forgive or forget that day, which makes them hungry and dangerous.

“We had a chance at winning it all,” said sophomore forward Olivia Patterson, “but we got upset. I think we kind of took our opponent too lightly and took (ourselves) for granted. We got a little too confident at the end.

“Losing like that, I think, motivated us more this year to come back and really put in the extra work.”

Benditson said the 2011 team has a sophomore goalie, sophomores who can score and freshmen who can contribute.

“We’ve been fortunate, recruiting players that are coming from a good pedigree, good backgrounds and have played club soccer at a high level,” Benditson said. “That’s only going to help our squad. That’s only going to help us with strength and depth and in experience.”

The first goal is try to claim the elusive Western State Conference title. Los Angeles Pierce College has taken the conference the past six years and eight of the last 10. The Corsairs have been fortunate to still make the playoffs seven of the last eight seasons despite losing the conference to the Lady Brahmas.

“We seem to be the continual bridesmaids, I like to call it,” Benditson said. “We seem to get second fiddle to Pierce College every season, but we’re definitely right there, nose-and-nose. It always seems to be a two- or three-horse race, and hopefully this year, we’re going to be able to catch them.”

Bendiston did say even if they don’t win the conference, they can still have success.

“Obviously, we want to win, but I think we want to make the experience something special for all these kids and for the program and for the school,” he said.

“(To win), you’ve got to have the horses and I truly believe that we have that this year. We have a nice core group of girls of players coming in and returning, and we’re hoping to make some noise.”

The Corsairs will host Riverside to start the season today (Friday) at 6 p.m. at Corsair Field.

Follow The Mirror on Twitter: twitter.com/SMMirror

Follow The Mirror on Facebook: twitter.com/SMMirror

in News
Related Posts

Santa Monica Approves $9.7M Loan for Affordable Housing Development

April 1, 2023

April 1, 2023

Berkeley Station to serve transition-age youth and low-income families, designed with NEST Toolkit by Brooks + Scarpa The City of...

​​Santa Monica Ocean View Home Hits the Market for $9.65 Million

April 1, 2023

April 1, 2023

4,200 square-foot home features a wine cellar, a bright kitchen with a La Cornue range, and an indoor pizza oven...

Iconic Hotel The Georgian in Santa Monica Set to Reopen on April 3 after Extensive Restoration

April 1, 2023

April 1, 2023

BLVD Hospitality’s Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi team up with ESI Ventures to bring back to life the 1933 hotel...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami Announces Bid for Los Angeles District Attorney

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Hatami, a prosecutor in the Complex Child Abuse Unit at the Hall of Justice in downtown LA, has been vocal...

Peace Activist and Artist Marissa Rubin to Be Honored With ‘Tree of Gratitude’

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Tree to be planted in memory of Rubin’s life and work on Earth Day in Palisades Park By Keemia Zhang...

Santa Monica’s The Daily Pint Reopens Following Extensive Renovation

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Long-standing pub boasts over 500 whiskeys, rotating selection of craft beers, and improved facilities under new ownership The Daily Pint,...

Over 100 Organizations Unite to Oppose Kroger-Albertsons Merger

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Critics say the proposed merger, which is currently under review by the FTC, would create a monopoly in many areas...

New Neapolitan Pizza Concept, Bar Monette, to Open in Santa Monica on April 7

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Bar Monette to feature tapas and wine bar with a mid-century library-inspired interior, with Neapolitan pizza Neapolitan pizza fans, get...

Survey Finds Support for Streamlined Permitting Process and Minimal Fees for Outdoor Dining

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Survey results reveal positive feedback for outdoor dining setups amid municipal ordinance changes Last week we asked readers for their...

Eight Santa Monica Police Activities League Youth Complete The Los Angeles Marathon

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Setting a new PAL record for the Los Angeles Marathon, Jade Furukawa came in at 4 hours and 50 minutes...

Bystander Injured After Man Jumps from Third Floor of Santa Monica Place in Potential Suicide Attempt

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Monday afternoon incident results in injuries to a woman in her 70s and a man in his 50s. By Sam...

Clippers Center Ivica Zubac Joins Students for Medical Simulation Training

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Students gain hands-on experience with virtual reality tools, CPR training, and surgical equipment at Cedars-Sinai’s Women’s Guild Simulation Center For...

Santa Monica Hosts Active Aging Group Bike Ride for Older Adults

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Event set for Thursday, March 30, to practice safe biking skills and the rules of the road Older adults in...

City Council Approves Land Use Amendments to Implement Housing Element

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Amendments to zoning codes to support affordable housing production and streamline approval process The Santa Monica City Council has taken...