PHOENIX – The Cochise College women’s soccer team continued to push through injuries and illnesses Saturday in a 2-0 loss to Gateway Community College.
Since the beginning of all-out conference play, the Apaches have played with one or no reserve players at each game, and a backup in the goal for the past three contests.
Adriana Arrieta filled in for starting goalie Justine Padilla when she went down with a deep bruise at home win against Mesa on Sept. 8. Cochise head coach Andrea Daniels is impressed by how well Arrieta has handled the pressure in the box.
“(Adriana) has made amazing saves for us that keep us in the game and motivate us to play harder,” Daniels said. “She has such a great work rate and positive attitude, which attributes to her large successes in the goal.”
Daniels said Arrieta, a freshman from El Paso, has asked for extra workouts and has been eager for constructive criticism after games.
“She came up with huge saves in goal for us every game and has surpassed expectations I had for her,” Daniels said. “She played her butt off against Gateway, however, we were lacking an entire team effort.”
The Apaches are 2-6-1 on the season and 1-6 in ACCAC play heading into Thursday’s game at South Mountain. On Saturday, Cochise returns for a three-game homestand, beginning against Glendale at 2:30 p.m. on the Douglas Campus.