CYPRESS, CA - The Cypress College women's soccer team (15-0-2, 9-0-2 OEC) secured an outright OEC title with a 3-1 victory over Golden West (6-8-3, 3-6-2 OEC) at home on Friday. With the win on Sophomore Day, the Lady Chargers clinch the Orange Empire Conference title for the first time since the 2008 season.
To kick off the afternoon the Chargers took the lead early over the Rustlers with a goal from Nicolle Valdez in the 4th minute, her seventh on the season. The remainder of the half was back and forth between the two teams. Cypress continued the pressure on the Rustlers before the half with seven shots against goalkeeper, Ashlee Garcia.
Returning from halftime Cypress came out with more control over the ball and quickly put one in the back of the net as sophomore, Morgan Patea, netted her ninth goal on the season. The intensity began to pick up between both teams and after some quality touches, the Chargers got fouled just inside the box to earn themselves a penalty kick. The PK was taken by sophomore Taleah Carter, who shot it just past Garcia's hands in the bottom left corner of the goal to put her team up, 3-0.
The Rustlers did not go down easy as they continued to fight for possession of the ball. They, too, drew their own foul in the penalty box giving them a chance to get on the board. Golden West, Sam Andrade, took advantage of the penalty kick to keep her team in the game. The Chargers' defense continued to defend their home field to lock in their conference title and come out on top of the Rustlers, 3-1.
The Cypress College women's soccer team will continue conference play on Tuesday, November 12th at 3:00 pm at Fullerton College.
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