Cerritos goalkeeper Carmen Cortes stopped 11 El Camino shots, but it was the one that got away in the 85th minute of play that was the difference as the Warriors’ beat the Falcons in women’s soccer play, 1-0 Friday at Cerritos in the South Coast conference opener for both teams.

The Falcons (1-3) played strong defense throughout the game, which was tied at zero after the first half.

The atmosphere became charged in the second half when the men’s soccer team, returning from its 1-0 win at Citrus College, arrived at the field to cheer on the women, joining the Cerritos College cheerleaders in rooting for the Falcons.

Cerritos had an opportunity to score when Claudia Lozano’s shot curved to the right of the El Camino goal.

Lozano said that she had sprained her ankle and kicked the ball “too hard.”

She added that she was “too anxious” and attempted the shot “too soon.”

El Camino finally broke the deadlock when Jennifer Emanuel emerged from a crowd in front of the net and kicked the ball past a diving Cortes.

Cortes said that the Falcons left the player open, and “if we had marked (kept a defender on) the player,” it would’ve been a different result. Coach Debbie Jensen said that the game was still “a great game for Cerritos” because the Falcons were still able to get chances to score, and it was the best conference opener in seven years for the team because it was a tie game for 85 minutes.

She said the team is very positive and doesn’t give up.

“We’re very pleased with our play today.”

Cortes said that it was an accomplishment for the Falcons to play “close to El Camino” because it is a “strong school.”

After losses at Antelope Valley (1-0) and Rio Hondo (4-1), the Falcons got their first win of the season at Golden West, defeating the Rustlers, 3-1 Sep. 3.

Lupe Chavez and Mauriel Chaidez scored to give Cerritos a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Jessica Escorsia added another goal for the Falcons in the 73rd minute of play.

Notes

The Falcons played at Compton Tuesday.

They play at home Friday against Los Angeles City College and Tuesday host Long Beach City.

Chaidez leads the Falcons with two goals.

Chavez and Escorsia have one goal each.

Cortes has a total of 35 saves in four games against seven goals allowed.