By Marcus Tolero

The Rams hit the road today for the second round of the California Community College Athletic Association women's soccer playoffs. The No.6 City College of San Francisco Rams (13-2-4 overall) travel to Santa Rosa Junior College to face the No.3 Bear Cubs (15-2-6 overall) today at 2pm. 

The Rams come into Tuesday's game fresh off a nail-biting 1-0 victory over Lassen Community College last Saturday. In that closely-contested match, the Rams spent most of the game on Lassen's side of the field. CCSF's defense, led by defenders sophomore Rebecca Killmartin, sophomore Jazzlene Herrera, and freshman Shannon Garcia, stopped most of Lassen's attacks near the midfield. Those defensive stops eventually led to numerous offensive goal-scoring opportunities for the Rams. But CCSF needed only to capitalize on one of those opportunities. At the 13-minute mark, Killmartin had a free-kick just yards outside of Lassen's box. She sent a perfect kick in front of Lassen's goalkeeper. The ball found a leaping Jesse Bareilles who headed the ball into the net for the game's lone goal.

CCSF will face a Santa Rosa team that also experienced its own suspense-filled match last Saturday against Canada College. SRJC ended regulation play tied 2-2 with Canada. The game was decided in the first half of overtime when Pricilla Villalobos scored the game-winning goal at the 13th minute. The Bear Cubs held Canada at bay for the rest of overtime to secure the win. 

Tuesday's game will be a showdown between the Rams' offense and Santa Rosa's defense. The Rams, who come into the match ranked no.16 in the state with 61 goals, will face a Bear Cubs team that only allowed 14 goals on the season and pitched seven shutouts. The Rams will look to sophomores Jesse Bareilles, Olivia DelRosso, and Daniela Gutierrez and freshmen Danielle Nicotera and Angelica Gonzalez to lead the offensive attack against a tough Bear Cubs defensive backline. 

Game details:

Rams vs Bear Cubs

2pm at Santa Rosa Junior College