Santa Monica College freshman goalkeeper Monique Boe came in off the bench in the second half and had six key saves to help lead the Lady Corsairs soccer team (2-1) to a victory over the Pasadena City College Lancers (2-1-1) by a score of 1-0.
“I just kept thinking that we had to keep the 1-0 lead when I went in the second half,” said Boe. “I wanted to do what ever I could do on my part and work with the defense. We fought through it and we were successful.”
Boe made her game debut when the starting goalkeeper, freshman Cindy Godina, injured her ankle just minutes before the end of the first half.
Boe’s remarkable performance consisted of six big saves during the second half and she was the main factor in holding the Lancers scoreless giving the Lady Corsairs the edge in their second win of the season to remain undefeated.
Three of her keys saves happened in the last couple of minutes left to play in the game as Boe stopped the attack of the Lancers refusing to let the ball in the goal.
On offense, the Lady Corsairs had a couple opportunities to score in the game, but seemed to come up short. The only goal of the game came during the 33rd minute of the first half when the Corsairs were given a free kick off of a Lancers foul.
Forward Megan Pierce of the Lady Corsairs shot the free kick off to the right side where Captain Briana Mackey took the opportunity to head the ball in.
“The only thing that was going through my head was that I couldn’t miss this shot,” said Mackey. “It was the most exhilarating feeling watching it curve in the corner.”
The Lancers had one last chance to score with three minutes left to play in the second half on a corner kick shot towards the goal, but the Lady Corsairs stepped up their defense and Boe was there to stop the Lancers from tying the game.
SMC Women’s Soccer Head Coach Aaron Benditson was happy with the win but looked to improve on consistency as the season continues.
“We had opportunities to score in front of the goal but for some reason we could not finish it off,” said Benditson. “That would have given us a more comfortable lead. Going forward, I’m looking to improve on consistency and resiliency.”
Next game for the Lady Corsairs is against San Bernardino City College at home Friday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m.
