Reality bites in 3-2 loss to Tigers

  Goalkeeper Cortnee Kleidon allowed three goals to Riverside College in a 3-2 loss giving the Dons their first loss Sept. 18.
   Going into the game, Kleidon had only allowed three goals this year including three shutouts, a 5-0 record and playing all 90 minutes of every game.
   “I think we were getting too cocky,” said Kleidon. “Some true colors were shown.”
   The defense struggled early in the game when the midfielder Danielle Delong scored the first goal past Kleidon of the game giving Riverside College a 1-0 lead. The Dons had 2 shots in the first half compared to 6 shots by the Tigers.
  Things didn’t get better as forward Alyssa Popov scored an unassisted goal two minutes into the second half.
   “We all need to give 110 percent out there,” forward Amanda Chavez said.
   Chavez set an example of that by passing  the goalkeeper and scoring to bring SAC a point closer making it 2-1.
  Santa Ana had a chance to tie the game when they were given five straight corner kicks. On the fifth corner kick forward Courtney Crain hit a shot that went just over the goal post.
   Popov took advantage when she scored her second unassisted goal.
   Being down 3-1 didn’t stop the Dons from thinking they could win the game as the team looked at the back of the coach’s  shirts and saw the word “Believe”.
   “As a team we all need to believe,” Kleidon said.
    With less than six minutes left, freshman midfielder Esmeralda Valerio hit a shot that bounced off the side of the post. That shot landed in front of sophomore Yoana Leon who scored off the rebound to bring the game 3-2.
   Three more minutes were added at the end of regulation giving the Dons one more shot at tying the game. Freshman Iliana Cardenas drove the ball and took the last shot for her team, but the shot was wide and the game ended 3-2.
   “I’m upset, but it was a reality check for us,” Chavez said. “I could’ve done a lot better.”
   Chavez ended the game with three shots and two shots on goal.
   The Dons play tomorrow at home against Santiago Canyon College.