Dons Winless at Home

Forward Syprus Ohanesian battles for position against Saddleback College on Tuesday. / Howard Lee / el Don

By: Jorge Campos

An overwhelmed offense could not match keeper Priscilla Suarez’s game-leading eight saves.

The visiting Saddleback College Gauchos corralled the Dons offense, shutting out Santa Ana College 2-0
on Tuesday.

Gauchos freshman forward Danyelle Allen scored twice on breakaway counters, largely because of lapses in communication by the Dons defenders.

“She is the leading goal scorer in the state if I’m not mistaken. She is rarely shut out. She’s been a real force offensively for us,” Saddleback Head Coach BJ McNicol said.

Sophomore forward Jenny Kraska assisted on Allen’s first goal in the 39th minute of game.

Saddleback went into halftime with a 1-0 lead. And, the second half looked like a rerun of the first.

Allen scored her second goal of the game in the 70th minute, with an assist from sophomore defender Allison Yancey.

The only bright spot for the Dons was the play of freshman goalkeeper Priscilla Suarez.

Suarez repelled numerous attempts from the Gaucho forwards, compiling eight saves throughout the course of the game.

“In warm ups I get focused, get serious. Then when it comes to the games I go for every ball. So I help my team, so we don’t give up so easily, and keep trying harder,” Suarez said.

Suarez outplayed Gaucho freshman goalkeeper Alexandria Scott, who only had three saves, due in part to SAC’s inability to attack and get quality shots on goal.

“We just need to make sure that our shots on goal are quality shots on goal,” Dons Head Coach Jessica Rapoza said.

The Dons (2-5-1) next play Santiago Canyon College (5-0-2) at home on Tuesday at 1 p.m.

By the Numbers

The Dons have been shut out in four of eight games

[one_fourth]2Forward Briana Cruz led the team with two shots on goal.[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]3Total shots on goal whille allowing 10 to Saddleback College.[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]7The Dons forced seven off-sides, committing none on offense.[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth_last]8Goalkeeper Priscilla Suarez recorded eight saves in 90 minutes.[/one_fourth_last]