Rustlers Advance to First-Ever 3C2A State Championship Final Four With Win Over Cats
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
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0 | 1 | 1 |
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0 | 0 | 0 |
Team Stats
Saddleback
| Game Statistics | Golden West | Saddleback |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 8 (5) | 18 (9) |
| Saves | 9 | 4 |
| Fouls | 5 | 6 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 4 |
| Offsides | 0 | 1 |
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. — History was made Saturday night as the No. 12 seeded Golden West College women's soccer team defeated No. 1 Saddleback College 1–0 on the road in the SoCal Regional Finals, securing the program's first-ever berth in the 3C2A State Championship Final Four.
The victory sends the red-hot Rustlers (16-4-6) back to Saddleback College in Mission Viejo for a 10 a.m. semifinal matchup against North No. 1 seed Folsom Lake College on Friday, December 5.
With the match locked in a tense scoreless battle, freshman midfielder Rylee Schneider provided the moment of the season. In the 85th minute, Schneider pounced on a loose ball just outside the box and fired a driven shot past the keeper for the game's lone goal. It was her first tally of the postseason and none could have come at a more crucial moment.
Golden West's attack generated eight total shots, including five on frame, with Sarah Aguilar, Kaylee Gomez, and Schneider producing the best scoring looks of the night.
For the third straight playoff match, sophomore goalkeeper Sierra Carter was spectacular. Under constant pressure from a Saddleback offense that produced 18 shots and 9 shots on goal, Carter recorded nine saves en route to her third consecutive postseason shutout.
Carter improved to 9–2–4 on the season, anchoring a Rustler defensive unit that refused to break despite Saddleback's relentless attack.
Golden West's back line — led by Jada Overton, Mia Guerra, Kiersten Mahan, and Giana Ortenzo — absorbed wave after wave of Saddleback pressure, clearing crosses, blocking shots, and winning crucial challenges in the midfield.
The Rustlers matched Saddleback in corner kicks (4–4) and committed just five fouls in a highly disciplined performance.
