Cuesta Women's Soccer hosted the Taft Cougars for the program's 2023 season opener.  The Cuesta Cougars, who suspended their 2022 season after just four games, jumped out to defend their home pitch with a goal in the eleventh minute of the game.  Returning Freshman Shaylee Sargent, who also scored the Cougars only goal of the 2022 season, gave the Cougars a lead after finding the back of the net just 11 minutes into the contest on a penalty kick.  Both teams went quiet on offense for the next 70 minutes, but in the 80th minute, Taft's Stephany Castillo scored the equalizer off a pass from Celine Corona and six minutes later Corona also assisted on Alana Garcia's eventual game-winner.  The Cougars got off a couple more shots before the final whistle, but Taft's Goalkeeper Brianna Rivera collected three of her four saves in the second half and protected her lead.  The loss drops the Cougars to 0-2 on the season.  

The Cougars are back in action in Madera on Tuesday (3 PM).  This is the Mountain Lions' first season of athletics and women's soccer is the college's first team to compete.  The Mountain Lions are currently undefeated, after beating Merced, 2-1, in their season opener.  Tuesday's game also marks the first home game in Madera history.