Unbeaten streak hits nine

The Saddleback women's soccer team defeated inter-district rival Irvine Valley College, 3-1, on Tuesday evening inside the stadium.  The win extends the current unbeaten string to nine games.

Saddleback entered the game needing a win to keep pace with a crowded top of the Orange Empire Conference standings.  The Bobcats controlled the game from start to finish, never being threatened by their cross-town rivals.

Saddleback opened the scoring in the 13^th minute when they had a player taken down inside the box and were awarded a penalty kick.  Araylia Holiday made good on the opportunity for her sixth goal of the season and the Bobcats had the early lead.

Saddleback was awarded another penalty kick after Jinan Said was taken down on the same spot on the field in the 21^st minute.  This time the coaching staff gave Cheyenne Embrey (pictured) the chance to get into the box score and the freshman from Aliso Niguel High School buried the shot in the lower right corner for her second goal of the season to give the Cats a 2-0 advantage. 

Saddleback put the game away in the 57^th minute when Holiday blasted a ball off the post and it caromed right back to her for an easy rebound goal.  It was the second goal of the game for Holiday and a team-leading 7^th goal of the season.

Irvine Valley added a late goal when Kuuipo Laumatia redirected a pass from Paige Shanahan past Cameron Simmons for her 13^th goal of the season.

Saddleback finished with a 16-7 advantage in total shots and an 8-5 lead in shots on goal. 

Saddleback is now 11-1-3 overall after the win and 6-0-3 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats will look to extend the unbeaten string to 10 games on Friday when they host rival Cypress College.  The Bobcats and Chargers are set to start at 3:00 PM inside the stadium.