Pirates take on Santa Monica in playoff opener

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College women's soccer team will host Santa Monica City College in the opening round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the OCC Soccer Complex.

The Pirates (12-5-4) finished third overall in the Orange Empire Conference and earned the No. 8 seed in the tournament, while the Corsairs (15-3-2) earned the Western State Conference title from the South Division and is the No. 9-seed.

OCC posted another solid campaign for 2017, picking up some strong results early in the season, including a solid 1-0 win over Clovis College at the Nike Showcase and a 1-1 draw against powerhouse Rio Hondo.

But, perhaps the biggest win in recent program history came on Sept. 15 when Coast traveled to Santiago Canyon and topped the eventual OEC champion, 2-0. 

Leading the offense for the Pirates is sophomore forward Lupe Rodriguez, who notched eight goals and six assists (22 points). Close behind for Coast is freshman Tiffany Chantler with seven goals and five assists (19 points). 

The strength of the Pirates year in and year out has been on the defensive end and this year is no exception. Coast allowed only 14 goals in 21 contests overall (third-best in the OEC) and just 10 goals during conference play (second-best in the OEC). Defenders like sophomores Samantha Oliver, Chatrina Skytte, Ciara Brennan and freshmen Jane McDonald and Alyssa Wiesen have helped keep the opponents at bay.

If the ball happens to get to the OCC net, goalkeeper Alison Marlow has been up to the task, allowing just 14 goals with 82 saves in 1,890 minutes of action for the Pirates.

For Santa Monica, the Corsairs notched their school's first-ever WSC title by sweeping through the South Division and outscoring their competition 45-2 over that eight-match span.

SMCC has a trio of double-digit goal scorers, including sophomores Daysi Serrano (15 goals, 2 assists), Josseline Espinoza (13 goals, five assists) and Filippa Struxsjo (12 goals, four assists). The Corsairs' defense has also been up to the task, allowing just 17 goals in 20 matches, with goalkeeper Emma Romero (0.81 GAA, 63 saves) leading the way.

The winner of Saturday's match will take on the winner of Saturday's matchup between No. 1 Santa Barbara City College and Thursday's play-in winner (MiraCosta or Antelope Valley). 

NOTE: Due to CCCAA mandates, playoff ticket prices are as follows ... 

• $12 for Adults
• $8 for Seniors 65+, students, staff, children under 12

NO PASSES ACCEPTED.