Lady Rams kickers get first win in 2-1 nod over Mission in
season-finale
SAN JOSE – The Gavilan College women’s soccer team saved its best for last – notching its first victory of the season in Tuesday’s season-finale against Mission College. With goals from sophomores Catherine Powell and Kami Owen, the Lady Rams held on for a 2-1 road victory.
“It was nice to end the season on a good note,” said first-year head coach Kent Cote, who also earned his first ‘W’ at the helm. “It was kind of like getting that monkey off your back. We did it.”
Gavilan College netted both its goals in the first half and, following a Mission strike in the second half, the Lady Rams put the clamps down to seal their first victory.
“They were happy. They were excited. They were relieved we got our first win,” said Cote, whose squad tied Mission in its first encouter. “We felt we were stronger than MIssion and that we can play with them. The most important thing that I’m most pleased with is the award we received last night.”
The Lady Rams were awarded the Fair Play Award for sportsmanship at the conference meeting Wednesday night. The teams from the conference nominated Gavilan for the award.
“That meant a lot because other schools had to nominate us. Even though we struggled, the girls always kept positive attitudes no matter the outcome,” Cote said. “That was good for them.”
Coach Cote also handed out team awards as Powell – a Gilroy High alum – received the Lady Rams’ Most Valuable Player Award and freshman midfielder Candy Padilla, of Gilroy, received the Coaches Awardfor her strong work ethic and always having a positive attitude.
“She played wherever I asked her to,” said Cote of Powell, who is headed to UC-Irvine next year. “She was my top player. She was a good team leader with a good attitude.”
