Chargers Come Up Short in CCCAA State Final, 3-0

WALNUT, CA- Cypress women's soccer (20-2-2) faced their final test on Sunday morning as they traveled to Mt. San Antonio College for the CCCAA State Championship against Hartnell College. The Hartnell Panthers (22-2-2) defeated the Chargers 3-0, as they raised the State Championship trophy for the first time in program history. 

The Panthers entered the championship as the hottest team in the state as they had not lost a match in the last 23 games. Equally as strong, the Chargers were the last team to defeat Hartnell and entered the championship with a 20-1-2 record. The match kicked off at 10am with heavy fog, but that did not slow the offense of Hartnell. Carly Lowi crossed a ball through the box that was finished by Belinda Ascenci (15') for the first goal of the game. Shortly after in the 26th minute, the Panthers struck again as Jasmin Castillo blazed down the left side of the field and found the top left corner of the net to make the score 2-0. Castillo wasn't done as she added her second and final goal of the match in the 45th minute as she beat the keeper to put the Chargers behind 3-0. Cypress was able to fire off nine shots in the second half and won the corner kick battle 14 to 1, but were unable to find the back of the net. The Hartnell Panthers were able to hang on and complete their quest to a State Championship with a 3-0 victory. 

After a successful 2021 campaign the Chargers were awarded the State runner-up trophy and Coach Erick Hurtarte earned Southern California Regional Coach of the Year. Brianna Cortez led the Chargers on offense with a team high 24 goals, which ranks 7th all-time in the single season record book. The Chargers 20 wins were most for the program since 2006. Cypress will have 17 freshman returning for the 2022 season as they look to retool for next year. Anahi Diaz, Fabiola Salazar and Lucia Yanez were the sophomore leaders in the locker room as they all played a huge role in the success of the 2021 season. 

Chargers women's soccer will be celebrated for their fantastic run and the professionalism they showed on and off the field. 

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