DeAnza Eases Frustration With Soccer Championship

The Cypress women’s soccer team kept its hopes for an undefeated season alive to the very end Sunday, but finally lost to DeAnza at Orange Coast College.

The teams were tied, 1-1, at the end of 90 minutes of regulation, and, 2-2, at the end of overtime. DeAnza won the shootout, 4-3.

The loss frustrated Cypress (20-1), the top-ranked team in the state. But the victory eased a great deal of frustration for DeAnza (18-0-1), which had lost the previous two State championship games. Mt. San Antonio won the title last year in a shootout.

“I feel very bad for Cypress,” said DeAnza Coach Kulwant Singh. “I know exactly how they feel. I felt that way last season.”

Cypress seemed poised to win the game in regulation and overtime only to have DeAnza rally for a late goal each time.

After a scoreless first half, Cypress’ Debbie Klein scored off a free kick with 13 minutes left. Klein’s score came after DeAnza’s Rebecca Jimenez was given a yellow card for an hard tackle of Cypress’ Lori Van Herk.

DeAnza had a prime opportunity to score about a minute later when Cypress goalkeeper April O’Brien went down for a loose ball. But Cypress’ Tracy Van Herk dashed in to kick the ball away.

DeAnza tied it with about six minutes left in regulation. Ashley Lettis’ shot bounced high off the hands of O’Brien and into the net.

Cypress went ahead, 2-1, eight minutes into the 30-minute overtime on Caren Morgan’s goal deep in the right corner. The Chargers were within three minutes of victory when DeAnza’s Angie Obeso got a rebound and kicked it in to tie it, 2-2.

Cypress’ Erica Roberge started the shootout by beating DeAnza goalkeeper Anna Brothers to the left and Cypress led, 1-0.

Stacie Savage tied it, 1-1, for DeAnza. Brothers kept it tied by making a diving save against Cypress’ Leah Russell.

DeAnza went ahead, 2-1, when Obeso beat O’Brien to the right. Klein and Pam Prine scored for Cypress but Jimenez and Jen Tuck scored to give DeAnza a 4-3 lead starting the round of kicks.

DeAnza sealed the victory Christy Rowe’s attempt to tie it for Cypress hit the left post.