TIGERS SHOW RESILIENCE

Reedley, CA — The start of the collegiate soccer season at Reedley College has already delivered exciting contests, with San Francisco and Cuesta battling Reedley in two hard-fought matches in early September. Both games showcased solid defense, timely scoring, and standout individual efforts as teams strive to set the tone for their 2025 campaigns.

San Francisco vs. Reedley – September 5, 2025

In the first matchup on September 5, San Francisco edged Reedley 2-1 in a tightly contested game played at Reedley College. The game started quickly, with San Francisco's Valerie Latu Nava scoring early just three minutes into the first half, assisted by Luz Hernandez.

Reedley fought back hard, with Syrrai Hurd leveling the score in the 37th minute off a Janelle Batres assist, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. Both goalkeepers played pivotal roles, with San Francisco's Bailey Perales making four saves, while Reedley's Briar Estes and Jasmine Lupian combined for ten saves.

The teams remained deadlocked until late when Sydney Grundland Lanuza, assisted again by Hernandez, found the net in the 78th minute to secure the win for San Francisco.

Key Performers:

• Valerie Latu Nava (San Francisco) – goal and consistent pressure

• Luz Hernandez (San Francisco) – two assists

• Syrrai Hurd (Reedley) – goal and a strong offensive presence

The match was physical, marked by six combined fouls and several yellow cards, signaling a competitive rivalry shaping up between these programs.

Cuesta vs. Reedley – September 9, 2025

Four days later, Reedley welcomed Cuesta for another intense match that saw Reedley come out on top 2-1 after a second-half rally. Cuesta opened the scoring in the 22nd minute thanks to Susana Puentes, who managed a solo strike without assistance. However, Reedley turned the tide in the second half with Syrrai Hurd scoring off a Lailah Azevedo setup at the 67th minute to equalize.

Reedley then took the lead for good in the 81st minute on a team effort finished by Layla Torres. The win highlighted Reedley's resilience and ability to capitalize on opportunities under pressure.

Goalkeepers played critical roles again, with Cuesta's Julianna Rosa making 12 saves despite the loss, and Reedley's tandem of Briar Estes and Jasmine Lupian combining for seven saves. The game saw a total of 26 shots (15 by Reedley and 11 by Cuesta) and a balanced physicality with 17 fouls committed.

Key Performers:

• Syrrai Hurd (Reedley) – goal and consistent playmaking

• Lailah Azevedo (Reedley) – goal assist and defensive work

• Susana Puentes (Cuesta) – lone scorer and constant threat

Outlook

These early season games highlight the competitive nature of collegiate soccer at Reedley College (4-1) and the surrounding region. San Francisco and Reedley each demonstrated why they should be considered serious contenders, while Cuesta showed flashes of strong play despite the narrow loss.

As the season progresses, fans can expect these teams to continue battling for dominance in the conference with more exciting soccer ahead.