By Daily Press staff
SUNSET PARK — Lydia Laddon scored the lone goal of the soccer match as Santa Monica College defeated second-ranked Pierce College, 1-0, on Tuesday at John Adams Middle School.
SMC goalkeeper Andy Gierman made eight saves and recorded her fifth shutout of the season for the Corsairs, despite Pierce’s players applying constant pressure throughout the game. Santa Monica hung on for the victory even by being outshot, 25-8.
Santa Monica (5-4-4, 3-1 WSC) has won four of their last five matches and moves into first place in the Western State Conference — South Division.
“We were able to weather that storm [against Pierce]. It’s been a roller coaster with all the injuries,” said SMC Head Coach Aaron Benditson, who said he was pleased with his team’s performance over the past month. “Hopefully, this is a big burst for us to keep winning.”
The Corsairs took the lead in the 14th minute, when Laddon received a header from teammate Tatiana Aguirre and fired a 25-yard shot over the head of Brahmas goalkeeper Rachael Vreeland, into the far post for the goal.
Laddon has scored five goals in the last five matches for Santa Monica.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 14, 2006. Read the original PDF.