COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Late Goal Beats Cypress in Women’s Soccer Playoff

The Southern California women’s soccer playoff match between Cypress and Mt. San Antonio came down to one fact: The Mounties were able to capitalize on a late scoring chance, and the Chargers couldn’t.

Casandra Ross got a loose ball and drilled it into the net with about five minutes left to break a tie and give Mt. San Antonio a 2-1 victory Saturday at Cypress.

Mt. San Antonio (14-2-3) advanced to the State title match Dec. 5 in Livermore. Cypress, in only its second season, ended 16-2.

Cypress had a good chance to tie the score with about a minute left when Stacy Darin was driving down the right side. She lined a shot to the left side, one goalie Elena Lopez had little chance to reach. But sweeper Tina Bonetti stepped in and stopped the shot with her head.

Darin just missed the left side of the net earlier in the half after fighting her way free for a shot.

The teams were tied, 1-1, at the half, in which Mt. San Antonio, the South Coast Conference champion, dominated with more physical play.

Cypress, the Orange Empire Conference champion, came out more determined in the second half and held the advantage for much of the first 15 minutes.

Cypress’ Brandi Yates had a breakaway chance about four minutes into the half but never got the kick off after she was taken down from behind. No foul was called.

Yates scored Cypress’ goal 15 minutes into the match by beating the Mt. San Antonio defense down the right side and kicking the ball past Lopez into the left corner.

Mt. San Antonio (14-1-3) rallied to tie about a minute later when Naomi Low managed to get free in front of the net and beat goalie Amy Kicyla to the left side.

Lopez finished with 13 saves, eight in the second half. Kicyla had seven.