The Saddleback women's soccer team had one of the greatest wins in program history on Friday when they defeated Santiago Canyon College, 1-0, on the Saddleback East Field. In was the first-ever win over the Hawks in 29 tries.
Saddleback entered the contest 0-23-5 lifetime against Santiago Canyon, a perennial power that has won two championships in the past nine years, appearing in a number of state tournaments.
Saddleback entered the game 8-2-1 overall and in second place in conference play behind Santiago Canyon, who started the season 10-0-1. The Gauchos were ranked #12 in the nation to start the week while Santiago Canyon was ranked #15.
The two teams played like they were as evenly matched as the rankings indicated, struggling for scoring opportunities and when they had them unable to find the back of the net.
It all changed in the 84th minute when Breanna Taboada took a free kick and blasted it into the webbing to end the scoreless tie, giving Saddleback a 1-0 lead. The Gauchos would fend off the Hawks for the final six minutes, claiming their first-ever win over a program that has won the past 11 Orange Empire Conference titles.
With the win, Saddleback (9-2-1, 5-1-1) climbed to within five points of a program that hasn't lost more than two games in any season since 2003. The Gauchos are alone in second place, one point ahead of another perennial power, Cypress College.
Saddleback will try to ride the wave of emotion into next week when they take on sister-school Irvine Valley College on Tuesday at home. The kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM at the stadium.