Women's soccer teams tournament-tested for CCCAA Championships this weekend
WALNUT - When you get to the final four of a major tournament, coaches hope that their teams have been tested both mentally and physically in preparation for the pressure that comes with being so close to a championship.
The four women’s soccer teams that will take the field Friday at Mount San Antonio College for the California Community College Athletic Association semifinals certainly have met those challenges, and will face off for a spot in Sunday’s championship game. All games will be broadcast by BAOSN.TV. Links are available on the Tournament Headquarters website here.
For example, Cypress College was the third seed in the southern regional bracket. To get to this weekend’s game against Fresno City College, the Chargers had to face each of their top-ranked Orange Empire Conference foes a third time this season. They beat the defending state champions, Santiago Canyon, in the second round with a 3-2 win in extra time. Then, the Chargers had to go to second-seeded Saddleback in the quarterfinals, where they picked up a 1-0 victory.
The Chargers’ offense has run through freshman forward Brianna Cortez. She has led the team with 23 goals this season, eight of which were game-winners. Meanwhile, the Cypress defense has been a stingy bunch, only allowing eight goals this season. Sophomore Siriana Gudino has seen the bulk of the action, only allowing three goals, while splitting some time with fellow sophomore Jade Bernardo. The duo combined to post 16 clean sheets this season.
Their opponent, Fresno, is the lowest remaining seed in the tournament, having started the playoffs as the eighth seed in the North. After dispatching Los Medanos in the first round, the Rams knocked out top-seeded, and unbeaten San Joaquin Delta in penalty kicks after the game ended in a 3-3 tie. Fresno punched its ticket to the final four with another game decided on penalties, as it beat Folsom Lake after a scoreless tie.
Like Cypress, Fresno got here by being stingy on the back end. The Rams posted 14 shutouts on the season. Meanwhile, Fresno has been a more balanced attacking side this season, with 19 different players scoring at least one goal. Hannah Martin has led the way with seven, while three other players (Peyton Bever, Jacky Vasquez and Serena Oceguera) had six apiece.
In the other semifinal, Mt. SAC secured its spot in the semifinals at home by matching up with the Southern Region’s top seed, Rio Hondo, three times in the last month. The top two teams from the South Coast Conference’s North Division played to a scoreless tie in their regular-season game, then again finished scoreless in the conference tournament, with the Mounties winning in penalties. In the two team’s final matchup last Saturday, each team finally broke through, with the game ending tied at 1, and again, Mt. SAC converting in penalties to advance.
The Mounties have gotten here with a trio of attackers at the top of their goal table. Freshman Karissa Vela led the way with eight goals, while sophomore Alyssa Williams and freshman Kaylee Gutierrez each contributing seven tallies. In the back, freshman goalkeeper Leila Peregrina has been keeping balls out of the Mounties’ net this season, being credited with 75 saves while posting a 0.58 goals-against average.
Awaiting the Mounties is Hartnell, which comes into Friday’s game having not lost since their second game of the season (a 2-1 defeat to Cypress). The Northern Region’s No. 2 seed, the Panthers have done what they were supposed to do in these playoffs, beat the lower seed they faced at home. They dispatched Canada in the opening round 2-0, then beat No. 7 San Francisco 1-0 in the second round. In the quarterfinals, Hartnell scored a pair of quick opening goals, adding a third in the second half before being forced to hold off a late charge from Sierra for a 3-2 win.
Much of the Panthers’ offensive success has come from a pair of sophomores. Carly Lowi led the team with 17 goals and 11 assists on the season, with Belinda Ascencio not far behind, posting 15 goals and 10 assists. In goal, the Panthers have turned to Ency Soto, who has posted a 0.65 goals against average this season.
Both games will kick off at 4 p.m. at Mt. San Antonio College. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $8 for seniors 66 and older, children ages 5-12 and staff and students with ID. Parking is $4 per day.
(Bill Norris, CCCSIA)