Back-to-back conference champs: Women’s soccer has another amazing season

Carrying the momentum from last season, the women’s soccer team had another record-breaking season

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Christie Yeung

The Mounties celebrate after scoring a goal against Rio Hondo Roadrunners in the SSC Tournament semifinal.

Another remarkable performance by the lady Mounties, making another deep playoff run in the South Coast Conference and the California Community College Athletic Association. They finished the season with a 20-2-1 record overall and 9-0 in conference play, posting the program’s best record in the last 10 years, culminating the team as the back-to-back SCC champions.

Their season started off with two convincing wins over American River Beavers, 4-0, and Fullerton Hornets, 5-0. However, they would suffer their first loss in non-conference play against Lake Tahoe Coyotes, 1-2, in the Mt. SAC/Nike/Azteca Soccer Tournament.

But the Mounties would bounce back to go on a 15-game winning streak. During this winning streak, the Mounties ran on a rampage of scoring frenzy by winning 10 of those 15 games by three goals or more. That included winning 12-0 against the East Los Angeles Huskies and winning 9-0 against the Los Angeles City Cubs.

The Mounties were making a statement.

Sophomore midfielder Kaylee Gutierrez (8) is trying to dribble past the LA Habor Seahawks defense. (Christie Yeung)

In the semifinal of the SSC Tournament, the Mounties met their old rivals, the Rio Hondo Roadrunners, whom they defeated last season in the SCC Tournament final. The Mounties would once again come out triumphant, 1-0, to face the Long Beach City Vikings in the final.

Despite the Mounties attempting to score 10 times and the Vikings trying eight times, either team can find the back of the net. So, for two years in a row, the winner of the SSC Tournament would be decided by penalty kicks. Both goalkeepers were able to save one shot from the first five attempts. But then on the sixth attempt, with Vikings’ McSparren missed and Mounties’ sophomore midfielder Audrie Mahassel (16) converted, the Mounties successfully defended their SSC Championship title.

However, with their eyes on the CCCAA championship, the Mounties were not stopping there.

Starting in the second round of the CCCAA SoCal Regional, the Mounties took on the Allan Hancock Bulldogs. It was a battle for possession in the first half, both teams could not find a goal. It wasn’t until sophomore defender Kayla Allen (15) scored from a free kick to open the score in the 54th minute to put the Mounties up 1-0. Then the game started to open up.

Even with a goal at hand, the Mounties continued to look for chances to score more. And their chances came minutes before the game ended, as the Bulldogs committed a foul inside the penalty box and the Mounties were rewarded with a penalty kick. Sophomore forward Ayuka Toshimoto (9) stepped up and scored to extend their lead to 2-0.

And the Mounties kept going.

In the 90th minute, sophomore midfielder Karissa Vela (10) scored another goal with an assist by Toshimoto to put the icing on the cake. Final score, 3-0. The Mounties moved on to the third round of the CCCAA championship to the Long Beach Vikings once more.

Sophomore midfielder Karissa Vela (10) dribbling up the field and looking to pass. (Christie Yeung)

For the third time this season, the Mounties went up against the Vikings. It was a fierce game as the Vikings would love to avenge the SSC championship defeat.

However, the Mounties had the same plan as always: win. And that is exactly what they did. They took the game 1-0 as sophomore defender Fatima Arnold (18) scored the only goal in the game to lead the Mounties to the next round.

They would face the No.1 Chaffey Panthers in the fourth round of the CCCAA SoCal Regional.

Sophomore defender Fatima Arnold (18) chasing after the ball to regain possession. (Christie Yeung)

It was an intense game because both teams knew what was at stake. But it was the Panthers that struck first as they managed to find a crack in the Mounties’ defense that had been solid all season long. The Panthers scored from a set piece off a corner kick and that goal was enough to take them to the semifinal of the CCCAA championship.

That was where the Mounties’ season ended. It was their first loss in 20 games. However, no one can deny that they have proven to be a force to reckon with. The Mounties had been playing amazingly all season long, and even without the CCCAA championship title, they are still champions in the hearts of many.