Hartnell Beats Mt. SAC to Reach Title Game

CCCAA Report

WALNUT -- Hartnell opened a 2-0 lead before holding off a surge from host Mt. San Antonio College on Dec. 3 to win 2-1 in the CCCAA Women's Soccer Championship Semifinals, setting up the championship match against Cypress.

The wins send Cypress (20-1-2) looking for its fourth state championship but first since 2004, while Hartnell (21-2-2) is looking to claim its first state title and just NorCal's second since 2012.

Hartnell picked up both of its goals in the first half and then survived a rally from Mt. San Antonio in the final two minutes that saw a goal and a last-second free kick from just outside the box nearly tie the game. The result was a Panthers' win that keeps them on their quest for the first-ever state championship.

The host Mounties had two early shots on goal as they tried to grab the early advantage but Audrie Mahassel's try in the third minute was saved by goalie Ency Soto while Jaquelynn Coronado's shot after a corner kick was stopped by Soto also. 

Brianna Guerrero changed all that for Hartnell, though, scoring just north of the 32nd minute to put the Panthers in front 1-0. They held that lead for nearly the rest of the half before Jasmin Castillo found the goal just before halftime to make it 2-0.

Hartnell held Mt. San Antonio away for most of the second half and appeared to be on its way to a shutout win but Coronado took a pass from the right side from Kaylee Gutierrez before putting it into the right side of the goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1 in the 89th minute. The Mounties played frantically in the final seconds and were awarded a free kick from about 30 yards on the game's final play but Allen's try was just left of the goal and the final whistle sounded just after.

Mt. San Antonio outshot Hartnell 14-9 but the Panthers held a 6-5 advantage on shots on goal. Leila Peregrina finished with five saves for the Mounties while Soto had three.