Orange Coast College

Women's Soccer: Pirates, Hawks battle to scoreless tie

Friday, September 19, 2008

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College women's soccer team overcame a late surge by visiting Santiago Canyon and battled the defending state finalists to a 0-0 tie on Friday in Orange Empire Conference action.

"It was a solid effort and a good result for our team against a tough Santiago Canyon club," OCC head coach Kevin Smith said. "Hopefully we can build from this and become even better."

Both the Hawks (4-1-3, 1-0-1 in conference) and the Pirates (2-3-3, 0-1-1) did nice jobs in preventing any decent scoring chances in the first half, but things opened up a bit more for the guests in the second half.

With a favorable cross-wind, the Hawks managed to maintain pressure on the Pirates, but Coast's defense, led by sophomore Brianna Vanderwal, was up to the challenge. SCC outshot OCC 14-6 in the game, but could not find the back of the net.

OCC had a couple of scoring chances in the second half. In the 56th minute, sophomore speedster Bet Krikorian nearly caught up to a breakaway pass, but Hawks' goalkeeper Kristina Dague (three saves) slid in front of Krikorian and sent the ball out of harm's way. In the 82nd minute, with the ball deep in SCC territory, a solid shot attempt slid just to the left of the goal, keeping the game scoreless.

Pirate netminder Caitlin Schott posted five saves to preserve the shutout.

OCC returns to action on Tuesday at Riverside at 3 p.m. before returning to the OCC Soccer Complex on Friday to host Santa Ana, also at 3.