Santiago Canyon win second straight title

Santiago Canyon win second straight title

from cccaasports.org

CUPERTINO - Brianna Diaz delivered a pair of crosses from each side of the goal that were headed for second-half scores by Tara Hansel and Ashley Roskelly as Santiago Canyon posted a 2-0 victory over San Diego Mesa to capture their second straight CCCAA Women's Soccer State Championship on Sunday morning at De Anza College.

The state title was the fourth for Santiago Canyon which became the first back-to-back champion since Cerritos College rattled of five in a row from 2012-16. The Hawks finished 18-3-3 while the Olympians, who were in search for their first banner, finished their impressive season with a 22-2-2 work.

Santiago Canyon kept constant pressure on San Diego Mesa, holding a decisive 24-3 advantage in shots. The put eight of those attempts on frame with Olympians keeper Alyssa Warner finishing with five saves. Hanselsel collected seven shots while Roskelly had four. 

The game was scoreless through the first half and into the early minutes of the second before Diaz put a corner kick from the left into the box before it was cleared out. Kelly then gathered it and lofted it again with Heinsel heading into the goal for a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute.

The Hawks' defense continue to keep San Diego Mesa from finding the equalizer before a corner kick from the right side by Diaz resulted in another header for a score in the 72nd minute, this time by Roskelly. Heinsel's goal was her ninth of the year while Roskelly picked up her eighth. Diaz's assists gave her a team-leading 12.

Santiago Canyon had 12 shots in each half and also held a 7-4 advantage on corner kicks, including six in the second half. 

The Hawks' four state championships trail only Cerritos (7) and Long Beach City (6).