Cats beat Chaffey in battle of heavyweights

The Saddleback women's soccer team defeated Chaffey College, 2-1, in a battle of heavyweights on Tuesday in Rancho Cucamonga.  Chloe Green scored the difference-maker in the second half.

Saddleback and Chaffey are developing a nice little rivalry.  The Bobcats defeated the Panthers in the state title game last December and both entered the contest undefeated on Tuesday.  Both were ranked in the top-3 in the initial statewide CCCSIA Poll while Saddleback was ranked No. 1 in the national US Soccer Coaches Poll with Chaffey at No. 2. 

Saddleback took an early lead when they scored in the first seven minutes with Alexa Livingstone finding the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage.  Chaffey evened the score in the 22^nd minute when Gisele Speirs beat the Bobcat keeper to tie the game.  Saddleback outshot Chaffey 7-4 for the half, taking some of the wind out of a Chaffey team looking for revenge from last December.

Saddleback opened the second half the way they opened the first, scoring a quick goal in the 47^th minute when Chloe Green headed in a cross from Emma Radzai and planted it into the net.  It gave the Bobcats a 2-1 lead they would never relinquish.  Chaffey made a sold charge to try and tie the game, but Bobcat keeper Dublin Synnott was up to the task.  Synnott made five save over the final 45 minutes and eight for the game in turning back the Panthers.

Saddleback is now 6-0 for the year heading into Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats get another tough test to open OEC play next Tuesday when they travel to rival Cypress College.  The game is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM.