Two starts, two shutouts

The Saddleback women's soccer team improved to 2-0 on Friday with a 3-0 win at Palomar College in San Marcos.  It's the fourth straight season the Gauchos have opened the season with back-to-back shutouts.

Saddleback controlled play throughout the opening half but despite getting the better of the Comets, the two squads were scoreless for most of the opening frame.  The Gauchos broke through in the 41^st minute when Collette Halloran found the upper corner of the net from long range for a 1-0 lead on her first goal of the season.

Palomar nearly tied the game and had its best scoring chance in the 53^rd minute when one of their forwards broke free and blasted a ball on net.  Saddleback keeper Jolie Moore managed to make a diving stop, preserving the 1-0 lead.  It was easily the toughest of six saves that Moore had on the day.

Saddleback took control of the game in the 70^th minute as Marisa Covarrubias tallied her first goal of the season off a pass from Halloran.  The Gauchos would add an insurance goal in the 85^th minute as Masie Velasquez scored her first goal of the season off a feed from Caitlin Dolan.

Saddleback is now 2-0 and will hope to improve to 3-0 next Tuesday when they travel to MiraCosta College.  The Gauchos and Spartans are scheduled to start at 3:30 in Oceanside.

SCORING