Falcon Women Defeat Hartnell

The FLC women's soccer team improved their early-season record to 2-0-1 with a dominating 2-0 win over Hartnell College on Friday night at Falcon Stadium.  The Falcons jumped out to an early lead in just the 2^nd minute of play when sophomore Jaqui Ortega found Sam Madsen with a perfect pass as she was breaking away from her defender.  Madsen took the ball to the front of the goal box where she drilled it past the Hartnell goalie for a 1-0 lead.  In the 25^th minute, sophomore Sami Thomas sliced through defenders in front of the goal before passing back to redshirt freshman Jimena Jovel for her first collegiate goal.  The Falcons continued to pressure Hartnell's defense throughout the rest of the half with several near-miss shots, but couldn't capitalize.  In the second half, Hartnell effectively packed extra defenders in front of the goal to slow down the Falcons.  The result was no second half scoring for either team, although the Falcons again had several close chances. 

"Hartnell did a good job of adjusting to our offensive pressure by clogging the middle during the second half," noted coach Donny Ribaudo.  "We still had chances but couldn't finish."  Sophomore defender Kace Bailey was named "Player of the Match" for her part in the Falcons' first shutout of the season.

The women open their Bay Valley Conference schedule tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 6:00 pm against Napa Valley College at Falcon Stadium.