Bobcats claim first state soccer title

The Saddleback women's soccer team captured the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) state championship on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Chaffey College at American River College in Sacramento.  The title was the first in program history and ended a seven year drought of titles for the college.

Saddleback and Chaffey were both familiar with each other heading into the finals as both were from Southern California and played one another in mid-September.  The only question left to be answered in the all-feline final between the Bobcats and Panthers was, which clowder would roar louder. 

Saddleback and Chaffey were dead even through 45 minutes as neither team had significant scoring chances on a wet and muddy trek.  The Panthers held a 6-2 advantage in total shots with both squads posting two shots on goal. 

The game then took a twist as everybody in the stadium was moved to shelter after lightning was spotted in the area.  After a 75 minute delay, the teams were allowed back on to a field that was increasingly soggy.

Saddleback came out quickly in the second half and took the pace to a Chaffey squad that made zero substitutions in the opening half.  The Bobcats looked crisper from the outset, and nearly scored the opening goal in the 65^th minute when Kylie Beu got a toe on a ball and directed it towards the goal.  A Chaffey defender sprinted towards the net and collided with Beu, sending Beu flying into the corner of the netting while kicking the ball out over the end line to preserve the scoreless tie.      

Beu would get sweet revenge for the close call in the 72^nd minute when she took a cross from Averee Campos and headed it into the net for a 1-0 lead.  It was Beu's third goal of the tournament and 14^th of the season to give the Bobcats a lead with under 18 minutes remaining.

Saddleback continued to rotate players in and out while Chaffey seemed destined to go from start to finish without making any substitutions.  The Panthers finally made their first substitution in the 79^th minute, needing some fresh legs to make a final push and trailing by a goal.

Saddleback would not be denied and sealed the deal in the 88^th minute when Zoe Chung took a free kick from the left wing after Samantha Villasenor was fouled just outside the box.  Chung bent the ball into the far corner as the bench erupted in celebration.  It was Chung's second goal of the season, and easily the biggest goal of her career at Saddleback. 

With under two minutes remaining, Chaffey tried to make a last gasp at getting back in the game, but eventually the head referee whistled the game final as the Bobcat players and coaches sprinted onto the field in celebration.

Beu (pictured below) was selected as the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament after scoring three goals in the two games, including the game-winner on Sunday. 

Saddleback finished the season 21-2-3 overall, winning the first state title in the history of the program.  Chaffey finishes the season 22-1-2.

For Saddleback College, it was the first state title in any sport since 2015 when the men's basketball team defeated East Los Angeles College.  In the 2,821 days since, the athletics program has had a ton of near misses.  Last year Saddleback had second place finishes in both women's and men's golf and third place finishes in men's water polo and women's track and field.  The drought all came to an end on Sunday in Sacramento.

Saddleback set a number of program records in marching to the title.  The Bobcats recorded their 21^st win of the season on Sunday, which eclipsed a program-best total of 19 in 2021.  Saddleback also scored 87 goals for the year, shattering the record of 78 set a season ago.  Averee Campos set the program record with her 13^th assist of the season on Sunday. 

The title on Sunday was the 29^th overall championship and 23^rd California community college state title in the history of the school.  It was also the first title won by a Saddleback women's program since winning the state tennis title in 2010 and just the fourth title won by a women's program since the school started athletics in 1968.  In addition to the 23 California community college championships, Saddleback has also won six national championships.  The school won three mythical national titles in football (JCGridwire) and three NSSA college surfing (co-ed) national championships.