Posted: Sep 03, 2019
The Chabot women's soccer team opened the season with an efficient 2-1 win over visiting Bakersfield on Thursday, Aug. 29.
The Gladiators have a solid cast which includes key returners in goalkeeper Abby Burnell, central defender Fedra Sanchez, versatile center midfielder Mariela DeLeon and center forward Briana Torres.
Chabot's strengths were evident against always strong Bakersfield. The Gladiators led 1-0 in the 10th minute on a pretty goal by Isabel Ayala Barriga on a powerful strike from about 15 yards assisted by Brittany Juhala on a laid-up pass. Briana Torres did a lot of the initial work on the scoring sequence.
After Bakersfield tied it in the 25th minute, Torres notched the winner on a 20-yard blast in the 65th minute. On the play, Torres won a tough battle against a defender and finished into the lower left corner.
Overall, Bakersfield was a bit more dominant and had a few more chances, but Chabot coach Markus Bathelt praised his team's "hard work and determination" in bringing home their first win of the season. Keeper Burnell was typically stellar.