Freshman forward Mariana Sagasta had an impressive debut for the Taft College women's soccer team, knocking in a pair of goals to help lead the Cougars to a 3-2 win over visiting Allan Hancock College in their season-opener on Friday. The Cougars followed that with a 2-0 shutout over Pasadena City College on Saturday to close out opening weekend.
Taft men's soccer head coach Angelo Cutrona added women's soccer head coaching duties this season, taking overt the helm from his wife Myisha Cutrona. Like his men's squad, the Taft women are also 2-0 to begin the year.
Against Allan Hancock, Taft had to come from behind after trailing 1-0 at halftime. But Sagatsa wasted little time in the second, getting the Cougars back in the game with her goal in the 46th minute off the assist from freshman Heaven Mejia. She put Taft out in front just minutes later, scoring in the 50th minute after the assist from freshman April Jimenez.
Jimenez iced the win thank to her goal in the 55th minute before the Bulldogs made things interesting with their goal in the 75th by Hope Smith. But the Taft defense was able to hold on for the victory.
Despite allowing two goals, freshman goalkeeper Natalia Navarro came up with seven saves to help lead the Cougars to the win.
Taft was dominant in Saturday's 2-0 win over Pasadena. The Cougars allowed just three shots as Navarro totaled two saves for the shutout.
Freshman Jennifer Vera got Taft on the board with a goal in the fifth minute (Devan Furukawa assist) while Jimenez scored her second goal of the season in the 65th minute wrap up the victory.
Taft returns to action on Wednesday (Sep. 1) when it travels to Moorpark College for a 2 p.m. non-conference game.