Battle of Ranked Squads End in Draw

The No. 13 Santiago Canyon College women's soccer team played host to the No. 7 Saddleback College Bobcats on Friday afternoon in what shaped into one of the more competitive Orange Empire Conference (OEC) showdowns this season. The Hawks held a one-goal at the conclusion of the first half, but Saddleback worked their way back to tie the contest ultimately leading to a one-all draw.

There were plenty of opportunities for both sides as the Bobcats fired of 12 shots to the Hawks nine. Freshman Mia Lussier, who was coming off a hat-trick performance in a dominant win over Fullerton on Tuesday, continued to act as a potent weapon by banging in a header in extra time in the first half. Sophomore Samantha Aguila assisted on the play to hand the Hawks the one-score advantage after the opening 45 minutes of play.

Saddleback continued to press the defense and earned a penalty kick in the 59^th minute after sophomore goalkeeper Grayton Normand was issued a yellow card on a foul in the box. The Bobcats buried the opportunity to tie the match at one all.

Sophomore Madison Stottlemyer along with the defensive unit of sophomore Brisa Mariscal, sophomore Ashley Aguilar and freshman Beatriz Perez kept the Bobcats at bay for the majority of the contest despite Saddleback out-shooting them.

Lussier tried her foot a game-high seven times, while sophomore Scarlett Serpas and Aguilar hammered off two attempts.

Normand (6-2-2) was awarded the tie after hauling in three saves in a full 90 minutes of action.