Mia del Muro and Bella Cervantes Shine as PUC's Women's Soccer Secures Impressive 7-3 Victory

In an electrifying Women's Soccer showdown, the PUC Pioneers went head-to-head against the visiting William Jessup Warriors in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats. The match, which kicked off at 1:30 PM, provided an action-packed first half filled with remarkable goals and standout performances.

Early Battle for Possession

The opening moments of the game saw PUC asserting their dominance with a majority of possession for the first eight minutes. However, the William Jessup Warriors troubled PUC with balls played behind or over the top of the defense, signaling their intent to disrupt the home team's rhythm.

Jessup's Early Breakthrough

In the 9th minute, the Warriors' persistence paid off when a well-placed ball from #4 Kye Johnson created enough time and space for #18 Adelaide Smith to make a darting run into the box. Smith showcased her finesse by elegantly chipping the goalkeeper, giving William Jessup a 1-0 lead.

PUC's Quick Response

PUC Pioneers, known for their resilience, wasted no time in responding to the early setback. In the 12th minute, #3 Bella Cervantes made her way into the box following a lofted pass from #5 Daneca Nelsen and was fouled. The referee pointed to the spot, and Cervantes coolly converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1.

PUC's Quick Double Strike

With the game now tied, PUC had their sights set on taking control. In a stunning turn of events, just one minute later, #18 Leylah Echeverria regained possession for PUC in William Jessup's half. She swiftly played the ball to #3 Cervantes, who executed a quick one-touch pass into the path of #19 Mia del Muro. Del Muro raced into the box and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, giving PUC a 2-1 advantage.

Captain Vallier's Influence

PUC's newfound confidence led to another goal only three minutes later, in the 15th minute. Captain and center back #10 Judy Vallier intercepted the ball on the PUC side of the halfway line and carried it forward with vision. She delivered a precise cross-field pass to Winger #5 Daneca Nelsen, who showcased her craftiness by sending a one-time ball over the top to Forward #3 Cervantes. Cervantes received the pass in the box and completed her second goal of the game, extending PUC's lead to 3-1.

Buoyed by their momentum, PUC continued to press William Jessup and make life challenging for their opponents. Their relentless pressure paid off again in the 19th minute when Captain #10 Vallier delivered a pinpoint ball into the box from a free-kick near the left side of the field. Cervantes was perfectly positioned to guide the ball down to the feet of #19 Del Muro, who confidently found the back of the net for her second goal of the match.

PUC's Tactical Brilliance

PUC's solid defensive adjustments and the stellar partnership of #10 Judy Vallier and #21 Oluwabukunmi Babatunde in the center of defense kept William Jessup at bay. Impressively, PUC conceded no shots between the 6th minute and the 24th, illustrating the tactical prowess of Coach Shane Shelton's side.

Jessup Finds a Ray of Hope

However, in the 33rd minute, the William Jessup Warriors showed signs of life. Kye Johnson dazzled with some impressive dribbling on the right-hand side of the 18-yard box before unleashing a clinical shot into the top left corner, cutting PUC's lead to 4-2.

Half-Time Score: 4-2 in Favor of PUC

PUC's Second-Half Surge

PUC's confidence paid off in the 50th minute when they created another scoring opportunity. Forward #3 Bella Cervantes, who had been a constant threat, showcased her dribbling skills once again she found #5 Nelsen who then played a perfectly timed ball into the box, finding the feet of #21 Jazmyn Bravo. Bravo's quick thinking allowed her to release the ball from the defenders' reach, setting up Freshman forward #19 Mia del Muro. Del Muro seized the moment to secure the first hat trick of her career, extending PUC's lead to 5-2.

Cervantes' Sensational Hat Trick

PUC's relentless attack continued, but William Jessup fought on as they registered two shots in just four minutes. In the 54th minute, William Jessup attempted to narrow the deficit but found themselves exposed on the counter. Forward #21 Jazmyn Bravo displayed remarkable vision by sending an exquisite over-the-top pass from near her own 18-yard box. The pass found its target in Forward #3 Bella Cervantes, who still had work to do. Cervantes, with crafty footwork, cut inside the defender to open herself up for a powerful and precise finish into the top right corner. This remarkable goal marked Cervantes' second consecutive hat trick and extended PUC's lead to a stunning 6-2.

PUC's Unrelenting Attack

PUC's resilience was evident as they pressed on, hungry for more goals. Approximately 15 minutes into the second half, William Jessup managed to build a few attacks during a brief period of possession. However, PUC responded with more attacking prowess of their own. A free-kick from the halfway line by Defender #24 Ryann Van Horn led to a perfectly placed cross in front of Midfielder and Captain #14 Isabella Huerta. Huerta managed to deliver a precise pass to Forward #23 Verenia Gonzalez, who had executed a brilliant hesitation move on the ball. Gonzalez spun around her defender and entered the box, taking an equally impressive shot that glided past the goalkeeper into the bottom left corner. This stunning goal, arguably the best of the match, solidified PUC's commanding 7-2 lead.

Late William Jessup Goals

With the deficit well beyond repair, William Jessup did manage to find the back of the net once more. In the 82nd minute, following an attempted clearance, Warriors forward #15 Amanda Bell seized the opportunity for a smart and crafty first-time finish off the post into the bottom right corner, bringing the score to 7-3.

Final Score: 7-3 in Favor of PUC

As the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard displayed a dominant 7-3 victory for the PUC Pioneers. Mia del Muro and Bella Cervantes emerged as standout performers with their incredible hat tricks, while the entire team showcased their attacking prowess and resilience.

What's Next

The PUC Women's Soccer team will look to carry their impressive form into the away opener for league play against Providence Christian on September 7th at 10 AM. With their confidence and momentum, they aim to continue their winning streak and maintain their position as a force to be reckoned with in Women's Soccer.

Story by: Kenneth Perez