By Veronica Campos

Staff Writer

The Cerritos College women’s soccer team has played solid defensively all season, limiting four of its first five opponents to one goal or fewer.

That defense paid nice dividends last Friday as freshman forward Claudia Lozano’s goal stood up as the Falcons posted a 1-0 South Coast Conference victory over Los Angeles City College. Cerritos, which faced Long Beach City last Tuesday and faces SCC rival East Los Angeles on Friday, is now 2-3-0 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Lozano scored on a direct kick late in the first half and freshman goalie Carmen Cortes stopped four shots to record her first shutout of the season. The defense in front of Cortes was spearheaded by midfielder Maria Zuniga and freshman defender Socorro Jimenez.

“We played a great game,” said Cerritos coach Debbie Jensen following the win over LACC. “This team is becoming united and it is showing great spirit.”

Added co-captain Lupe Chavez: “Putting aside the injuries we’ve had and the negative criticism we get from other schools, we have shown a lot of strength and maturity. We are pursuing our goals to the best of our abilities.”

Mauriel Chaidez currently leads Cerritos with two goals, while Chavez, Lozano, and Jessica Escorsia each have the others. Cortes has stopped 39 of 46 shots she’s faced this season and her goals against average stands a 1.40 per match.