Preview: Women’s Soccer Earns Second Seed in the 3C2A Southern Regional Playoffs
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 1 | 1 |
Team Stats
Bakersfield
| Game Statistics | Bakersfield | Santiago Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 3 (3) | 21 (6) |
| Saves | 5 | 3 |
| Fouls | 13 | 6 |
| Corner Kicks | 0 | 6 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
The Santiago Canyon College women's soccer team continues to build on its legacy as a perennial postseason contender, closing out a strong campaign with a 14-2-5 record and a second-place finish in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC). Their performance secured the Hawks the No. 2 seed in the 3C2A Southern Regional Playoffs.
This marks the program's 23rd consecutive appearance in the southern regional playoffs. The Hawks will host the winner of No. 15 Bakersfield and No. 18 San Diego Miramar on Saturday, November 22 at 2 p.m. on their home field.
Per 3C2A rules, an admission fee will be required. General admission is $12, while students, faculty, staff, seniors (60+), and children 12 and under will be charged $8. Both cash and credit card payments will be accepted at the entrance. Live stats will be available at www.scchawks.com.
Santiago Canyon will look to claim its first 3C2A State Championship since 2019. The Hawks previously faced Bakersfield in mid-September, earning a 2–1 win behind goals from sophomores Mia Lussier and Rayleen Chairez. Lussier also assisted on Chairez's score.
This season, SCC surpassed last year's win total and secured another top-three conference finish. The Hawks have recorded 14 or more wins in 20 of the past 21 seasons and reached the third round of the southern regional in 2023.
Offensively, the Hawks average 2.57 goals per match while maintaining a defensive unit that holds opponents to under one goal per contest.
Lussier leads the attack with 11 goals, earning OEC First-Team All-Conference honors. She recorded hat tricks against San Bernardino Valley and Irvine Valley and scored twice against Santa Ana. Notably, the Hawks are undefeated in games where Lussier has broken the end line.
Sophomore Ayleen Jimenez, also an OEC First-Team selection, follows closely with 10 goals. Serving as a midfield anchor and offensive catalyst, she leads the team in assists (8) and total points (28). Jimenez posted a four-match scoring streak with goals against Irvine Valley, Fullerton, Santa Ana, and a second meeting with Irvine Valley, while also collecting four assists during that run.
Defensively, sophomore Karen Pedraza, named OEC Defensive Player of the Year, has led a unit that has held opponents to under one goal per match and posted 11 shutouts. She is supported by sophomore Jordyn Gallegos and freshman Melanie Salazar, both of whom earned all-conference recognition.
Goalkeeper Makayla Worcester, an OEC First-Team honoree, has been crucial to the team's success, securing 14 wins and contributing significantly to the 11 shutouts. She finished the season with 36 saves and an impressive .857 save percentage, including a season-high seven saves in the final match, highlighted by a pivotal penalty-kick stop. Worcester logged at least three saves in six matches—five of them victories.
The Orange Empire Conference had five teams selected to play in the 3C2A Southern California Regional Tournament.. Saddleback (1), Santiago Canyon (2), Cypress (4), Orange Coast (8) and Golden West (12) all made the field.
