Defense again critical in soccer win

Defense again critical in soccer win

The Saddleback women's soccer team is making a push for the playoffs and picked up another win with a 1-0 decision over Norco College.  It was the ninth shutout of the season for the Gauchos.

Saddleback has seen its offense decimated by injuries, but keeps on winning.  The Gauchos picked up a third straight win by a 1-0 score on Tuesday, with the latest victim being Norco. 

Saddleback's lone goal of the game came from Megan Rhodes (pictured), who scored her first goal of the season in the 41st minute off a pass from Emily Druckrey.  It was all the Gauchos need to improve to 11-2-4 on the season and 8-2-3 in Orange Empire Conference play.

In the defensive end, Saddleback held Norco off the score sheet.  Dz-Rae Jara was perfect in the nets, stopping all seven shots on goal.  It was the ninth shutout for the Gauchos, who overtook Orange Coast for third place with three games remaining on the schedule.

Saddleback has a couple of difficult upcoming challenges as they face second place Cypress on Friday and first place Santiago Canyon next Tuesday.  The game this Friday at Cypress is scheduled for 3:00 PM.