MIRACOSTA NARROWLY ESCAPES SANTIAGO CANYON

It was an evenly matched game on Wednesday between the visiting Santiago Canyon College Hawks and the MiraCosta Spartans.  The Spartan's women's soccer teamwas  led by Coach Matt Hall. The first half was mostly uneventful, with a 0-0 score and very few scoring chances for either team.

In the 52nd minute, Spartan freshman forward Lena Bachman put MiraCosta on the scoreboard with a goal assisted by sophomore Aleah Minnich.

In the 72nd minute, the visiting Hawks responded with a goal off of a free kick from just outside of the box.  For the next five minutes, Santiago Canyon kept the pressure on the Spartans, with a few more shots on goal. Fortunately, MiraCosta survived the attack, with much credit due to goal keeper Arely Sarabia and the entire defensive line. 

In the 85th minute, freshman goal keeper Arely Sarabia made a critical save, fully extended and just tipping the ball away from the goal.  

With the score locked at 1-1, and just a few minutes left in the game, the Spartans created an opportunity that ended with Julisa Pena scoring the game-winning goal.  After Pena's goal, there were four minutes left in extra time.  MiraCosta did just enough to evade any final opportunities from the Hawks, and escaped with the important non-conference win.  With the victory, the Spartans improve to 3-1 leading into Friday's match at Irvine Valley College.