RAMS SOCCER RECORDS SWEEP ON TUESDAY
Fresno City men defeat MJC 6-3, while women shutout Cerro Coso 8-0.
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno City men's and women's soccer programs continued their strong play Tuesday, opening the week with a pair of victories. The Fresno City women recorded an 8-0 shutout over visiting Cerro Coso, while the men travelled up the 99 to defeat Big 8 conference opponent Modesto Junior College, 6-3.
The Fresno City men (8-0-5; 3-0-0) opened the week on the road, looking to stay undefeated on the 2018 season, while recording their sixth consecutive victory. Coming on the heels of last week's huge 2-1 victory over Taft to take sole possession of first place in the Central Valley Conference, Head Coach Eric Solberg and his team did their best to avoid a let down, as they begin a stretch where they'll take on three Big 8 conference opponents.
Michael Vega opened the scoring for the Rams men, recording a goal off an Eduardo Segura assist in the 20th minute to put Fresno City up 1-0 over the Pirates. The Rams offense continued to play well in the first half, as Segura recorded another assist in the 34th minute, setting up Joao Santos' goal to increase the lead to 2-0. A Logan Haron score just before halftime would give Fresno City a commanding 3-0 lead at intermission.
Segura joined in the action, scoring a goal in the opening minutes of the second half to put Fresno City up 4-0. Antonio Aguilar scored an unassisted goal for MJC in the 51st minute to put the Pirates on the board, but it was too little too late, as the Rams would hold off a late MJC run with a pair of goals to secure the 6-3 victory on the road.
The Fresno City women (10-1-3; 4-0-0) continued their strong play at home this season, blowing out Cerro Coso on Tuesday afternoon, 8-0. The Rams jumped out to an early lead in the match's opening minute, as Ariana Rodriguez connected off a Taylor Alkire assist, putting the Rams up to stay from the opening kickoff. Rodriguez recorded a hat trick on Tuesday, scoring her second and third goals in the 49th and 64th minutes respectively, the Rams' second such performance in as many weeks.
Nia Valero recorded a pair of goals in the first half, while Alkire continued her strong 2018 campaign with another goal of her own. She also recorded a pair of assists, as did Anai Rosas on Valero's two first half scores. Mia Lopes, Consuelo Luna and Justyne Sanchez also recorded assists in the contest. Goalkeeper Ruby Campa recorded her second consecutive shutout, following another strong performance last week in the Rams' 11-0 victory over Sequoias.
The Fresno City women return to action on the road Friday, when they'll play CVC opponent Taft (7-4-2; 3-0-1). The Rams men return home this Friday, when they play host to the Mustangs of San Joaquin Delta (9-0-3; 4-0-1 Big 8). Kickoff is scheduled for 4 PM.