Taboada leads Gauchos out of funk

With the Saddleback women's soccer team coming off its only two losses of the season, they took to the pitch on Tuesday at the stadium looking to right the ship against Santa Ana College.  Breanna Taboada led the charge, scoring twice in a dominating performance over the Dons.

Saddleback suffered back-to-back 2-1 losses this past week, getting their first taste of defeat after entering the week riding an eight-game unbeaten streak.   They responded with a resounding win on Tuesday, dominating the Dons and recapturing sole possession of second place in the Orange Empire Conference.

Taboada opened the scoring in the 27^th minute on a direct free kick just outside the penalty box, giving Saddleback the only tally it would need.  Taboada then added an insurance goal in the 43^rd minute off an assist from Emilee Monnig, giving her five goals for the year.  Monnig's run deep into the goal box resulted in a cross-cage shot that was deflected by the goalkeeper, but into an open area just outside the left post that Taboada was floating towards, resulting in a fairly easy goal for the freshman midfielder out of Mission Viejo HS.

Saddleback outshot Santa Ana 18-6 for the game, including a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal. 

The keeper combination of Shana Leventhal and Angelica Ramos combined for the seventh shutout of the season for Saddleback, which improved to 8-2-1 overall and 4-1-1 in Orange Empire Conference play.

The Gauchos are now alone in second place in conference play, trailing only Santiago Canyon College in the OEC standings.  Saddleback and Santiago Canyon will meet on Friday at home. The kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM on the East Field.