Kicks, Shouts and Confusion
By Pablo Leda
Corsair Staff Writer

Santa Monica College women's soccer team tied 3-3 last Tuesday with Coast Conference team Santa Clara Mission College. The match could be summed up as a step forward in tactical play.

The players who shined through the game were forward Debi Lindenberger, midfielder Evelyn Figueroa, defender Tricia Green and goalkeeper Bridgette Vargas.

Thirteen minutes after the first whistle was blown, SMC had a chance to score by throwing a corner kick but due to the strong defensive plays of the Mission defenders it wouldn't be allowed.

Lindenberger once again took a shot 22 minutes into the game but once again the shot was powerful but aimless.
At this point the match turned a bit violent as both teams dangerously aim for each other's ankles in an attempt to regain control of the ball.

At 29 minutes, SMC's Garland Gerber saves the ball from going into her own goal, when one of her team members gets too close.

And Vargas successfully blocks her teammate, number 7, twice!

After 31 minutes of play, Mission scores a shot from outside SMC's goal box. Vargas is unable to reach the ball, which soared through the air and entered the goal through the upper left pocket.

After that SMC decides to pick up the pace. Several shots follow. Finally, in the 37th minute, Karen Lainez scores for SMC when she heads a crossed ball right over Mission's goalkeeper.

The first half ended at 48 minutes with a tied score of 1-1.

The game turned stale a few minutes into the second half; none of the teams seemed to have a clear idea of how to score. They were both waiting for the other team to make a mistake.

Eighteen minutes after the second half started, SMC scores another goal, which started out as a corner kick and ended up as a melee fight for the ball until one of SMC's players pushed the ball into Mission's goal.

This goal put SMC in the lead 2-1.

It didn't last very long, eight minutes later Mission scored.

At this point SMC seems to be confused by this sudden turn of events since they were controlling both the ball and the match. It took some time for the Corsairs to regain their concentration.

In the 39th minute, they regain their concentration when Jessica Wilbourne scored. All the Corsairs needed to do at that point, in order to win, was to hold the ball for just a couple more minutes.

But Mission College receives a controversial free kick.

Special attention should be paid to the word "free" because according to some spectators Missions player tripped on herself, while surrounded by two SMC defenders.

The final whistle blow comes a few minutes after the spectacular goal that come from the free shot and the match had a final score of 3-3.