Bobcats Advance to State Tournament

The Saddleback women's soccer team advanced to the 3C2A State Tournament with a 3-0 victory over Pasadena City College on Saturday in Pasadena.  The Bobcats scored three goals in the opening half to stun the Lancers and avenge a loss earlier in the season.

Saddleback came out hot and pressed Pasadena in the opening half.  The Bobcats scored three goals in a 9:22 span, taking a 3-0 lead in the first 28 minutes of the game.  From that point forward the Bobcats controlled the game, only allowing Pasadena City low-percentage shots while protecting the win.

Jinan Said opened the scoring in the 19th minute when she took a feed from Anjelina Nieto and beat the PCC keeper for a 1-0 advantage.  Two minutes later Said returned the favor to Nieto and fed her a ball just outside the box.  Nieto blasted a ball into the left side of the net for a 2-0 advantage.  The Bobcats added a third goal less than eight minutes later and again it was Said feeding Nieto, who rattled a ball off the right goalpost and into the net for a 3-0 advantage.  It was Nieto's team-leading 15th goal of the season and sixth goal in the playoffs.

Cameron Simmons started in goal for Saddleback and she played the entire 90 minutes in improving to 11-1-1 for the year.  Simmons finished with seven saves for the game in keeping the Lancers off the scoreboard.

Saddleback is now 18-2-3 overall and it was the 13th straight win for the Bobcats.  Saddleback also extended its unbeaten streak to 18 games with the win.

Saddleback's win advances them to the 3C2A State Tournament at American River College.  The Bobcats will open on Friday against Folsom Lake College at 4:00 PM.  The other semifinal will feature Cypress College versus City College of San Francisco at 7:00 PM.  

The berth in the state tournament is the second for Saddleback in the past three years.  The Bobcats captured the 3C2A state title in 2022 and were named the No. 1 team in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches following the season. 

Keep it tuned to saddlebackbobcats for all the lates state tournament updates.

(Brad Hoiseth, Saddleback)