The 6-0 South Coast Conference loss at Mt. San Antonio College last Friday was humbling enough for the Cerritos College women’s soccer team. The one-sided setback left the team virtually speechless afterward.

Virtually, but not entirely.

“We gave up as a team,” said Cerritos midfielder Belen Gonzalez.

It should be noted that the Falcons’ loss to the Mounties came against a team that is ranked 18th in the state according to one poll. However, in an earlier match this season against No. 2 ranked Long Beach City, Cerritos’ effort was much better, but its result similar – a 4-0 loss.

Gonzalez wasn’t the only Cerritos player critical of her team’s performance against a solid team. Several players said similar things, however, they did not wish to be quoted. Other players didn’t wish to discuss it at all.

“We could have performed better,” Gonzalez added. “We need to keep our heads up when we compete against the tough teams.

Cerritos is now 2-5 overall and 1-4 in SCC action as it enters Tuesday’s key game with host Los Angeles Harbor. On Friday, the Falcons host Pasadena City.

It has become clear that the team is at a crossroad and frustrated by its lack of efforts and results. The team doesn’t appear to be able, at this point, to compete with the upper class in the conference. However, they still can salvage a solid season with good efforts and victories against the middle and lower rungs of the league.

Cerritos can take a step in the right direction on Tuesday against the Seahawks. At the present time, Cerritos needs a win to further distance itself from the possibility of finishing in last place in the conference race. The team’s lone SCC win came on Sept. 14, when it beat Los Angeles City, 1-0.

In the loss to the Mounties, freshman goalie Carmen Cortes was kept quite busy. She stopped 18 shots. Six different Mt. SAC players scored goals.

The Falcons’ offensive surges against the Mounties were limited to a few.

However, midfielders Maria Zuniga and Jessica Escorsia and defenders Jessica Colocho and Socorro Jimenez made some noteworthy plays.