Partida’s Hat Trick Powers Taft Past Lemoore 4-2

TAFT, Calif. - Jasmine Partida’s first-half hat trick powered Taft College to a 4-2 soccer victory over Lemoore on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Taft. The Cougars carried a two-goal advantage into halftime after all six goals were scored in the opening half.

Sarah Lopez-Mendez helped drive the Taft attack with a goal and two assists. She supplied the assists on two of Partida’s goals, while Aziah Lawrence set up the other. Laniyah Kizzee assisted on Lopez-Mendez’s goal, giving the Cougars three players with assists and an assist on each of their four goals.

Iva Nieves-Bermudez accounted for both Lemoore goals, scoring each without an assist. Nieves-Bermudez also received two yellow cards and a red card during the match. Those two goals left Lemoore within striking distance at the break, but the visitors did not score again.

Goalkeeper Liliana Lopez played all 90 minutes for Taft and earned the win. She made three saves while facing five shots on goal. The Cougars’ defense held Lemoore scoreless through the second half, protecting the lead without another goal from the attack.

Lemoore split its goalkeeping duties between Sara Cordova, who played 20 minutes and took the loss, and Allison Mata, who played 70 minutes. Taft plays next at Merced College on Friday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 p.m.