College of Marin Women’s Soccer kicked off the 2021 season with a matchup against the Chabot College Gladiators. An absolute stellar team effort would see the Mariners emerge victorious from a back and forth battle with the final score of 3-2. The win is the first for the Mariners in a season opener in at least a decade.

The first half of the contest saw both teams jockeying for control, with multiple opportunities on both sides. Goalkeeper Laura Gravelle kept the Mariners in the game with six saves in the first half. However, the Gladiators were able to get one in to take a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

A great team discussion during the intermission had the Mariners ready to come out blazing in the second half. Just over three minutes into the second half, Emily Braganza would tie the game with a scorching free kick. Cyrene Paez gave the Mariners their first lead of the game and the season, with a smooth finish off a Braganza assist. The Gladiators would tie the game at 2-2, setting up an exciting finish. Braganza would assist on the third goal of the day, with Yuliana Velazquez firing a volley past the Chabot goalkeeper. The last moments of the game had the Mariners giving it their all to keep the lead, a total team defensive effort.

The 1-0 Mariners will be quite proud of the start to the season after the win and through the weekend. They next hit the road to face De Anza College on Wednesday, 9/8.