CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College women's soccer team (8-0-1, 1-0-1 OEC) took care of business in Tuesday's Orange Empire Conference home opener against the defending state champion Santiago Canyon Hawks (6-1-1, 2-1 OEC), 1-0. The Chargers entered the game ranked No. 3 in the most recent CCCSIA state rankings, while Santiago came in at No. 6 overall.
The Lady Chargers knew it would be a battle until the final whistle. The Hawks began as the preseason favorite to repeat as OEC champions for an unprecedented 16th consecutive season, but this year's Cypress team proved early on that they would be a contender in the championship race.
Both teams created early opportunities to score in the first half of action, but Cypress keeper Violet Martin came up with huge saves for the Chargers, finishing the game with 10 total saves to maintain a clean sheet.
Cypress took finally broke through in the 83rd minute, when freshman Lindsay Forester drew a foul in the box, awarding the Chargers a penalty kick. Sophomore Kelly Lopez sent the PK past Santiago's keeper to give Cypress a late 1-0 lead. The Lady Chargers held strong on defense to hang on for a 1-0 victory.
Women's soccer will return to action at 3:00pm on Friday, October 11 at Santa Ana College.
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