Women’s Soccer Gears Up for 3C2A Southern Regional Playoffs

After closing out the regular season last week, the Santiago Canyon College women's soccer team has shifted its sights on the upcoming 3C2A Southern Regional playoffs starting this Saturday, November 18. The Hawks will look to punch their ticket to the big dance for the first time since 2019.

The Hawk's 2018 run was a program best under Head Coach Ian Woodhead as he led his squad to a flawless 24-0 season that ended with a 1-0 win over the Lake Tahoe College Coyotes in Ventura, CA. They followed up the next season with a 2019 State Title after defeating San Diego Mesa College Spartans, 2-0.

The Hawks (14-3-3, 10-2-2 OEC), who finished second in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) standings this season, earned the 11^th seed in the Southern Regional bracket and will face off against a familiar foe in the sixth-seeded Cypress College Chargers (15-4-2, 10-3-1 OEC) on the road at 1 p.m.

Both teams faced off twice this season with the Hawks coming out on top by the final scores of 1-0 and 2-0. The last time the two teams met in the playoffs was in 2021 in the second round. The Chargers defeated the Hawks in double overtime.

The first meeting was a tight matchup that saw limited opportunities. There were a recorded nine shots on goal between both teams, but the Hawks found the back of the net to secure the victory. Freshman forward Samantha Aguila was the lone goal scorer as she punched through a score in the 30^th minute. Freshman goalkeeper Grayton Normand manned the posted leading to four saves and a shutout win. Cypress made a push in the second half with 10 total shots, but to no avail.

The second contest was equally as impressive for the goalkeepers, but this time it was sophomore Krystal Maxey who earned the shutout victory. She hauled in three saves in 90 minutes of action. The Hawks leaned on an own goal in the 24^th minute, backed by a netter from freshman forward Alyssa Marino in the 57^th minute. A defensive line that consisted of sophomore Kiera Hanna, freshman Brisa Mariscal, sophomore Aubrey Bryant, freshman Jordyn Lamastra, and sophomore Elyse Valenzuela limited Cypress to just six opportunities at goal.

The Hawks are tattered with talent up and down their roster with five players scoring seven or more goals this season. Leading the charge is Marino who has tallied 10 goals and four assists leading to a team-high 24 points. She has score at least one goal in nine games highlighted by a two-score game in a victory over Golden West at home. She held a four-game scoring streak to close out September play. Furthermore, she dished out a pair of assists in a 4-1 win against Golden West on the road.

Freshman Rayleen Chairez and sophomore Kristen Smick have each scored eight goals on the year and combined for 35 total points. Smick was the most efficient with her opportunities after playing in 12 games leading to a .276 shot percentage. Chairez had the most opportunities in comparison after seeing time in 18 games en route to 47 attempts.

Aguila, a jack of all trades on the offensive end, has netted seven goals while assisting on eight of them. She has recorded a pair of multi-assist games both coming in victories. She scored two goals in a win over Golden West on the road as well.

Sophomore Jordan Salinas has been the anchor in the middle for the Hawks leading to seven goals and two assists. She held a three-game scoring streak that came in victories over Moorpark, LA Harbor and Bakersfield. Her goal against Moorpark was the game-winner as she banged home a header off a corner kick in extra time.

The Hawks have used a goalkeeper by committee strategy with Maxey, Normand and sophomore Brittany Hazelton all earning opportunities between the pipes. Maxey leads the way with 24 saves and seven wins, while Normand follows with 17 saves and four wins. Hazelton has two wins on the year and has not recorded a loss.

Please visit www.scchawks.com for all playoff information.