Gauchos exterminate Hornets in home opener

The Saddleback women's soccer team found out on Tuesday afternoon that they had moved into the top-20 in the NSCAA National Soccer Poll (17).   Later in the day they proved deserving, beating Fullerton 3-0 for a 6-0-1 start to the season.

Saddleback is off to its second best start in program history and things kept rolling on Tuesday in the home-opener against Fullerton.  Helene Hollidge (left) scored her fourth goal of the season off a pass from Emilee Monnig in the 16^th minute, which proved to be the only goal the Gauchos would need. 

Saddleback added a second goal 10 minutes later when Danielle Scelsi (center) scored her second of the season unassisted, giving the Gauchos more than enough breathing room.  It sent Saddleback to the locker room up 2-0 despite both teams having six shots on goal.

The Gauchos put the game completely out of reach in the second half when Liana Larkins (right) scored her first goal of the season in the 56^th minute off a pass from Amber Martin.  It was a physical second half as Saddleback was whistled for three yellow cards, serving as more frustration for the Hornets.

Saddleback is now 6-0-1 overall and 2-0-1 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The win also moves the Gauchos into second place in the OEC.

The seven game unbeaten streak is just one shy of the program record set back in 2003 when Saddleback started the season 7-0-1.  The Gauchos will try to tie the record on Friday when they travel to Norco College for a 3:00 PM kickoff with the Mustangs.