Gauchos stun Hawks a second time

The Saddleback women's soccer team tied a program record on Tuesday with a 1-0 win at Santiago Canyon College.  The Gauchos received a goal from Brittney Stevens (pictured) in the opening half and made it stick, beating the Hawks for a second time.

Saddleback entered the 2015 campaign having never beaten Santiago Canyon in women's soccer and never finishing higher than third place in the Orange Empire Conference standings in the 14-year history of the program.  Both of those facts are now old news as the Gauchos beat them for a second time on Tuesday and, with it, guaranteed themselves a second place finish in conference play.  In addition, it was the 15^th win of the season, tying the program record set back in 2003. 

Stevens took a cross from Brittany Bartle and planted it in the net in the 22^nd minute to put Saddleback on top.  It would be the only goal the Gauchos would need as they frustrated the Hawks with a swarming defense.  Keeper Angelica Ramos was also up to the task, saving all seven shots that Santiago Canyon could muster. 

With one game remaining in the regular season, Saddleback moved up to #6 in Southern California in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) and #9 in the state.  The Gauchos will face rival Irvine Valley on Friday at IVC with a chance to win a record-breaking 16^th time this season.  The kickoff is set for 1:00 PM at IVC.