Pirates push Bobcats, but fall, 2-1

COSTA MESA -- It was one of the better played matches of the season, but for the Orange Coast College women's soccer team, the result didn't match the performance as the Pirates fell late to conference power, Saddleback, 2-1, on Tuesday night inside LeBard Stadium

The Pirates (5-5-2, 3-2-0 in the Orange Empire Conference) carried play throughout the first half against the Bobcats (6-2-3, 3-0-2) and in the 37th minute, Coast grabbed the advantage. Stephanie Serrato used a long run deep inside Saddleback's side of the field, but the ball rolled lose and into open space, where Litzy Morales ripped a rocket shot nearly 30 yards into the air and into the upper-half of the Saddleback goal, putting the Pirates up, 1-0, a lead that stayed that way through the rest of the first half.

But the Bobcats -- a team that has lost just five times over their past 71 matches covering the past three seasons -- found another gear and carried the pressure back to the Pirates throughout the second half. But, Coast maintained composure and kept the Saddleback off the scoreboard ... until the 77th minute. At that moment, a long pass found its way into the front of the goal, where players from both teams battled for control. The ball squirted free and Isabelle Whittaker got to the ball and shot into the wide-open net, tying the match at 1.

OCC's best chance at a goal came off of a set piece where a free kick was touched and one-timed to a streaking Morales, but her shot attempt was kept out of the goal.

Just 10 minutes later, Emery Simis ripped a shot from distance that found the back of the net to put the Bobcats up for good.

OCC goalkeeper Leila Saldic was solid in goal with seven saves, while the Bobcat duo of Cameron Simmons and Gloria Gomez combined for six saves.

Coast will return to action on Friday at the OCC Soccer Complex against Irvine Valley College, beginning at 3 p.m.