Shorthanded Pirates hang on for 1-0 win over Hornets
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fullerton (6-7-2, 3-6-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Orange Coast (5-9-1, 1-7-0) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
COSTA MESA -- In a season hampered with injuries and COVID-related delays and rescheduling, the Orange Coast College women's soccer team found something to smile about on Friday as the Pirates topped visiting Fullerton, 1-0, at the OCC Soccer Complex.
With the roster shrinking in size day by day due to the injury bug, Pirate head coach Kevin Smith had to move some players around and in the 49th minute, that paid off for his team. A nice pass by Emma Khamo helped spring the OCC offense as Leslie Salgado took Khamo's pass down the right side and fed a dangerous pass towards the Fullerton goal, where OCC defender-turned-forward, Savannah Alday deflected the pass up and over the Hornets' goalkeeper to put the Pirates in front, 1-0.
That goal turned out to be the difference maker as Pirate defense held serve the rest of the way, with Jessica Gardner stopping all four shots on frame throughout the contest.
The win helped erase a 3-1 loss to the Hornets during the first round of OEC play and Friday's win occurred with far few player options.
Friday's win capped off a hectic 10-day stretch that saw OCC play six matches, including four straight against three of the top teams in the state -- Santiago Canyon, Saddleback (twice) and Cypress.
OCC will get a few days off before returning to action on Tuesday at Cypress, beginning at 3 p.m. The Pirates will return to the OCC Soccer Complex on Friday against Irvine Valley, also at 3 p.m.
