Halloran strikes late for tie

The Saddleback women's soccer team picked up a critical point in Orange Empire Conference play with a 1-1 tie against Cypress College on Friday at the Saddleback Stadium.  Collette Halloran tied the game for the Gauchos in the 85^th minute.

Saddleback entered Friday just one point out of fifth place and with a solid power point total heading down the stretch of conference play.  The Gauchos likely improved their status with a 1-1 tie against the second place Chargers.

Cypress took the lead in the 21^st minute when Kristen Nolan scored off a pass from Mary Dynda.  It gave the Chargers a 1-0 lead in a half where they outshot the Gauchos 7-5.

Saddleback came out with a different purpose in the second half, grabbing the momentum with three out of the first four shots of the half.  Cypress was solid in the nets as Tabatha Macedo steered away shots by Wendy Dina and Samantha Belmonte.  She wouldn't get to the next, as Halloran put one in the back of the net with just under six minutes remaining in regulation.  Saddleback would end up outshooting Cypress 8-3 for the half, not allowing a shot on goal from the Chargers.

The goal by Halloran was her second goal of the season and by far her most important.  Marisa Covarrubias and Halloran would get another shot apiece on Macedo, but the keeper kept the Gauchos from taking the lead in the final minutes.

Saddleback is now 6-4-5 overall and 3-4-4 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Gauchos will play again next Tuesday at Golden West College.  The Gauchos and Rustlers are set to start at 3:0 PM in Huntington Beach.