Extra-Time Goal Lifts Hawks Past Pirates

In a hard-fought match between the Santiago Canyon College Hawks and the Orange Coast College Pirates, the game stretched into extra time with neither team able to break the deadlock after regulation. As the referee signaled for three minutes of added time, both sides turned up the pressure, each hoping to seize a late victory.

Orange Coast had the first chance in extra time, earning a corner kick that nearly resulted in the game-winner. A Pirates' player got a head on the ball, but Hawks' freshman goalkeeper Makayla Worcester was ready. She made a crucial save, knocking the ball away to keep the game scoreless.

In the following minutes, the Hawks mounted an offensive push. Sophomore Sloane De Torres beat a Pirates' defender to an open ball in the box. She fired a shot that smacked off the crossbar. However, the rebound came to sophomore Alyssa Marino, who made no mistake, sending the ball into the net to secure a 1-0 victory in the team's regular season finale.

The Hawks escaped with the win despite 29 shots on goal that had not resulted in a score. They outshot the Pirates 31-6, dominating on the offensive front throughout the match.

Worcester had a stellar performance in goal, recording three saves and preserving the shutout through 90 plus minutes of play.

De Torres led the team with six shots off the bench, half of which were on target. Marino was close behind with five shots, four of them on target. She nearly added a second goal on a breakaway in the closing seconds but missed narrowly to the right.

Sophomore Ashley Aguilar also contributed with five shots, while sophomore Samantha Aguila added four attempts of her own.

With the win, the Hawks (12-4-6, 9-2-4 OEC) finish in third place in the conference standings and will advance to the 3C2A Southern Regional Championships. Stay tuned to www.scchawks.com for all playoff information.