Cuesta Rallies Past Cougars 4-3 After First-Half Turnaround

SLO, Calif. - Briseida Guardado scored the decisive goal to complete a four-goal first-half comeback as Cuesta College defeated the Taft College women’s soccer team 4-3 on Sept. 1. The Cougars built a 2-0 advantage before Cuesta answered with four consecutive goals, then protected the lead through a scoreless second half.

Taft made a fast start, scoring the match’s first three goals to establish an early cushion. All three Cougars goals were credited collectively to Team in the scoring record, and no assists were recorded. The quick burst put Taft in position to take control of the match, but the remainder of the first half shifted sharply toward the home side.

Derby Coykendall began the comeback with Cuesta’s first goal on an assist from Bella Moseley. Mia Forbes followed with another goal to cut Taft’s lead to 3-2, and Bella Shipman tied the match with help from Christa Kelly. Coykendall then assisted Briseida Guardado on the go-ahead goal, sending Cuesta into halftime with a 4-3 lead.

The Cougars responded defensively after halftime and kept Cuesta off the scoreboard for the entire second half. Taft recorded three goalkeeper saves in the match, while Cuesta finished with four shots on goal and converted one of two penalty-kick attempts. Coykendall contributed one goal and one assist despite missing a penalty kick, while Mia Forbes, Bella Shipman and Briseida Guardado each scored once.

Neither team found another goal after the break, leaving the first-half scoring sequence to decide the match in front of 72 spectators. Taft’s three-goal opening showed the Cougars’ attacking ability, and their second-half shutout stabilized the match, but Briseida Guardado’s first-half winner stood through the final whistle.

Taft will be on the road again when they visit the Bulldogs of Allan Hancock College Friday, September 4 at 2:00 pm.