Monnig kicks off historic start

The Saddleback women's soccer team set out for San Diego today to begin the 2016 campaign at Cuyamaca College.  The Gauchos came home with a pair of program records, beating the Coyotes 10-0.

Emilee Monnig led the team with 15 goals last season and was expected to be the leader on what appears to be a solid squad in 2016.  After one game she is already 33% of the way to her total a year ago after scoring five goals on Tuesday.  Monnig tickled the twine twice in the opening half and three more times in the second, breaking the record of four goals in a game (six different occasions).

Monnig scored the opening goal of the season in the sixth minute off a pass from Emily Druckrey.  The two teamed up again in the 23rd minute for her second goal of the game, giving Saddleback a 4-0 lead.

Leading 6-0 at the half, Monnig scored three straight goals in a 10-minute span to set the new record.  Helene Hollidge fed Monnig for consecutive goals in the 50th and 55th minutes before Sara Parrick dealt a ball to Monnig in the 60th minute.

Scoring other goals for Saddleback were Gabi Race (10th), Connor Steinbeck (17th), Kailey Kerr (34th) and Rachel Edelstein (42nd).

In addition to Monnig's record, Saddleback broke a record for largest margin of victory, set by the 2003 team when it beat Golden West, 9-0.

It was the fourth straight year that Saddleback has won its opening game of the season.  The Gauchos will try for a second on Friday when they travel to MiraCosta College to take on the Spartans.  Game time is set for 3:30 PM.