FRESNO, Calif. – In preparation for a long postseason run, CRC women's head coach Cesar Plasencia historically schedules a challenging nonconference schedule for his club.  This season is no different, as Cosumnes River begins a stretch of contests against three straight top-ten teams, continuing this week with a southern California road trip.  The Hawks take to the road this afternoon, when they will take on the Rams of Fresno City College.

CRC and Fresno City College, a preseason favorite to make the CCCAA Final Four, have a history of competing against one another.  Both clubs have faced off regularly, both in the regular season, and in postseason play.  "We are about .500 against them," says Coach Cesar Plasencia of the team's history against the Rams.  The Hawks opened the 2012 season with a 2-1 home victory over the Rams last August.

In preparing for this match, Plasencia believes conditioning will play a huge role in the outcome.  "They have deep teams, so they play 20 players or more all the time," says the Hawks veteran coach.  "They try to wear you down… (they're) very athletic and strong."

Coach Plasencia was encouraged by what he called a "good training day" yesterday, as the Hawks conducted their last practice prior to the match against Fresno City.  "I hope to see a good performance from our players."  "We are coming together and are gaining an understanding of each other on the field of play."

The Hawks defense has played a huge role in the Hawks undefeated beginning to the 2013 season.  CRC played Solano to a 0-0 draw before defeating #7 nationally-ranked Canyons, 2-1.  Hawks goalkeeper Anna Brown earned CRC's Student-Athlete of the Week last week, going 1-0-1 during that stretch.  "Our calling card is our defense, so if we get a goal or two we could have a chance," said Plasencia in response to how things could play out today.  "If we can take a step forward (today) we will give ourselves a chance to compete and possibly win."

After the Fresno City match, the Hawks will travel south to take on preseason #1 and 2012 national champion Cerritos College.  CRC will return home for a contest against Butte next Tuesday, in a match scheduled for 4 PM.