Five Gauchos earn post-season honors

The Saddleback women's soccer season is in the rear-view mirror and with the end of the season comes post-season recognition.  Five different Gauchos earned prestigious honors following the season.

Caitlin Dolan, Samantha Belmonte, Collette Halloran, Marisa Covarrubias and Brittany Kaufman were all recognized for their efforts this season.  Dolan was named to the All-State Team while Belmonte, Halloran, Covarrubias and Kaufman were named to the All-Orange Empire Conference Team.

Dolan (Yorba Linda HS) led the team with 18 total points this season, recording a team-leading five goals and eight assists.  She had a season-best two goals against Santa Ana College on October 12 and two assists on three separate occasions. 

Belmonte and Halloran were named to the All-OEC First Team for 2018.  Belmonte (Aliso Niguel HS) played in 19 games this past season, finishing with two goals and three assists.  Her biggest goal of the season came in the final match of the season when she slammed one into the net to give the Gauchos a 3-1 lead against rival Orange Coast College.  Halloran (Edison HS) was a force in the defensive end for Saddleback in 2018 and a big reason they finished the season with six shutouts and a 1.25 goals-against average.  Halloran scored one goal with two assists from the back line and was also called upon to play keeper in a game when an injury forced her into the nets. 

Covarrubias and Kaufman were named to the All-OEC Second Team for 2018.  Covarrubias (Trabuco Hills HS) tied Dolan for the team lead in goals with five and tied for second place on the team with 10 total points.  Of her five goals, one was a game-winning goal and two others were game-tying goals.  Kaufman (Aliso Niguel HS) joined Belmonte, Dolan and Covarrubias to make up one of the better midfield quartets in the conference. 

Saddleback finished the season 9-6-5 overall and 6-6-4 in Orange Empire Conference play.