Second-half scoring barrage lifts Pirates past Chargers

COSTA MESA -- Orange Coast College women's soccer coach Kevin Smith laid out the challenge to his team during Friday's Orange Empire Conference showdown with visiting Cypress and his Pirate ladies delivered in a big way.

Tied 1-1 at the half, the Pirates came out and took the game to the Chargers and never let up en route to a convincing 5-1 win inside LeBard Stadium.

"I told the girls at halftime that over the next 45 minutes, we will see if this team is content to just play out the season or if this team is a serious contender and a playoff threat," Smith said. "I think we got our answer."

Karly Freeman led the Pirates (8-3-3, 6-3-2 in OEC) with three goals and an assist, while fellow forward Kamille Cawley added two assists and was the catalyst to several scoring opportunities. "Kamille has been hot of late and in the second half, we really wanted to get our offense going through her," Smith said. "We did a great job of getting her the ball and we did a great job of finishing our chances in the second half.

First-half goals by Freeman and Cypress' Kendra Serrano set the stage for OCC's offensive explosion.

In the 52nd minute, Cawley and Freeman rushed down the field, 2-on-1 against the Chargers (7-5-2, 6-3-1). Cawley fed Freeman, who ripped a shot that was slowed by Chargers' goalkeeper Chloe Sutkowski (four saves). The ball slowly rolled behind Sutkowski and Shelle Zito slid the ball -- and herself -- into the net, putting OCC up, 2-1.

Just six minutes later, Cawley again dashed down the right side, got around her defender and fed Freeman, who controlled the ball and beat Sutkowski up high to make it 3-1.

After a goal was disallowed for the Pirates due to an off-side call, Coast again marched down and pinned the Chargers deep. A defensive turnover led to a quick shot by Sandy Jimenez, who split the defense and slipped her shot passed a screened Sutkowski to make it 4-1.

The scoring spree came to an end in the 81st minute when, again, Cawley fed Freeman for her third goal of the game, making it 5-1, Pirates.

Coast will return to action on Tuesday at Santa Ana College, beginning at 3 p.m. OCC's next home match will take place on Friday at 1 p.m. against Saddleback.