SARATOGA -- West Valley women's soccer scored its quickest goal of the season but fell to the Cabrillo College Seahawks, 4-1.

Entering the competition with a roster missing sophomore Ximena Heredia (the second-leading scorer in the Coast-North) and sophomore Diana Garcia (one of the lone sophomores on the roster), the Vikings (3-8-1, 0-3 Coast-North) still came out firing against their conference foe Cabrillo (5-5-1, 2-0 Coast-North)

In the second minute, Nya Lemery broke away from two defenders and delivered a beautiful off-footed cross over the head of a Seahawk that fell into the lap of Evelyn Santos, who calmly flicked it past the keeper to put the Vikings up 1-0.

Playing with the captain designation in just her third game of the season, Lemery played a terrific 90 minutes for the Vikings. For Santos, the goal was her fourth of the season. The two, combined with Heredia, Garcia and freshmen Aubrianna Martinez and Daniela Morales Sanchez pack a certified scoring core for the Vikings.

Cabrillo had its way getting into its attacking third early on, but the Viking defense was stellar inside the box. Lizbeth Palafox opened and closed the match as the right back, cutting off passing lanes while making a handful of terrific tackles. Ashley Ramirez was equally solid when the Vikings brought their numbers back.

Between the posts, Soleana Chavez had a terrific first half. She had one easy save early on, but her second was spectacular. With Seahawk forward Marissa Freeman questionably called onside, she was able to break through on a cross. But Chavez tracked forward step-by-step, met Freeman at the point of attack, and parried the ball away to hold the Vikings' lead.

A few possessions later, the woman tied with Heredia for second in the conference in scoring, Valeria Acosta, was similarly called onside on a counter. Chavez' heroics weren't enough this time. She guessed wrong on the attack and Acosta scored her seventh of the season.

That seemed to be the turning point of the match. The Seahawks scored three unanswered in the third, including one off a free kick that took an unlucky bounce off the fingertips of new Viking keeper Analena Perez.

Still, there were many strong performances. Morales Sanchez, the team leader with four assists, was terrific handling the ball in the midfield area and continued to find Lemery. The two have clear chemistry on the pitch even with a lack of playing time together. Palafox was strong and competed for the entire 90 minutes. Maria Cabrera came off the bench and was aggressive off the attack. Martinez, who can play the entire length of the pitch with her footwork and decision-making ability, flashed. As did Victoria Rodriguez. The two take West Valley's corners, and the Vikings had five of them.

The Vikings are on the road on Friday, taking on Gavilan as they continue conference play.