Saddleback College women’s soccer team draws 1-1 against rival Irvine Valley College at Gauchos stadium

Saddleback College women’s soccer team offense prepares to receive throw in No.3 Devin Scelsi, freshman, forward, plays well, out numbered by Lasers defense (Photographer/Dominic D.Ebel)

Saddleback College women’s soccer team tied 1-1  in a draw to rival Irvine Valley College.

The Orange Empire Conference current standing for Saddleback is fifth place with the record of 7-5-4 OEC/11-5-4, the record overall since Nov 15, 2014. The Gauchos stay undefeated at their home stadium and hope for a playoff spot to play another game this season.

“Every time we play Irvine Valley College we are going to play them close,” said head coach BJ McNicol. “It’s always been a one-goal game or a tie.”

Saddleback has its top scoring individual offensive leader in captain,  forward, sophomore,Danyella Allen. Her stats show a lead in goals-21, points-46, and shots-69 for the OEC. At the 33 mark Allen scored the first goal in the contest against Irvine Valley.

“We were a little unlucky a goal was called back,” McNicol said.”We also had to make some key saves to keep it a draw.”

IVC clutch  player Crystal Lefebve, freshman, forward, coming off the winning goal against Cypress last week came through for the Lasers with a goal scored on the 46 mark which set up the 1-1 draw at Gauchos’ stadium.

“It was a tough game. Our defense did all they could do, said sophomore, keeper, Alexandria Scott. “We played a good game.”

The Saddleback defense play makers were focused on stopping  the IVC offense, as only one goal was made by the Lasers. SCC play maker Julianne Caldwell, freshman, halfback led the defense making key passes to her teammates and cutting down IVC offensive opportunities to score.

“We should have won,” Caldwell said. “I will be here next year for sure.”

SCC and IVC created a fun challenge in playing for a champion cup trophy between the two teams.

“We started a fun challenge earning a cup a few years back,” McNicol said. “We were second to last and IVC was dead last, and now we’re both play-off teams that are capable of big things.”

SCC lost the cup to IVC, placing third in the OEC with a record 9-3-4 OEC/12-3-6 overall in a  playoff schedule yet to be determined. The Lasers playing away, tied the Norco Mustangs 2-2 on Nov. 14, 2014.

“So the trophy really changed from something that we wanted the girls to focus on to something on the end of the season,”McNicol said.”So now it’s something –  a bigger deal.”

Last Friday, first place OEC Santiago Canyon women’s soccer team maintained its undefeated stance at home by beating the Gauchos 3-1.

Top teams are waiting to earn their spot to play in the upcoming posted playoff schedule.

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