December 7 - 8, 2002
Oliveira Soccer Complex
Lemoore, CA
Hosted by West Hills College

December 8, 2002

Box Score

Long Beach City 2, Cypress 1

Cypress 1—0—1

Long Beach 1—1—2

Scoring

Cypress: Jessica Chase (Julie Lloyd) at 8 minutes; Long Beach: Kim Jents (Loni Wilson) at 29 minutes; Ana Coria (unassisted) at 86 minutes

Shots on Goal: Cypress 24, Long Beach 8

Saves: Cypress: Jackie James 1; Long Beach: Ashley DeAlejandro 11

Records: Long Beach 24-0-1; Cypress 24-1-1

MVP: DeAlejandro (Long Beach goalie)

(LEMOORE)—Long Beach City College goalie Ashley DeAlejandro didn’t want to let nerves get in her way after Cypress scored on her eight minutes into the finals match of the COA California Community College Women’s Soccer Championships Sunday.

Instead, DeAlejandro went on to make 11 saves and gain MVP honors as Long Beach defeated Cypress, 2-1, to win the Vikings’ third consecutive state title. Long Beach also defeated Cypress in last year’s championship final.

Long Beach had its first undefeated season at 24-0-1, while Cypress suffered its first and only loss at 24-1-1. Cypress dominated the play for most of the game and ended up outshooting the Vikings, 24-8. Long Beach was the South No. 1 seed and Cypress the South No. 2 seed going into the tournament.

The Vikings, who didn’t even have a shot attempt in the second half until 29 minutes into the period, stayed patient, waiting for an opportunity to score. They did just that with four minutes left when Ana Coria found a loose ball among a flurry of players in front of the net, and kicked in the game-winner.

Cypress took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Jessica Chase, who took a crossing pass from Julie Lloyd and fired in a shot from eight yards out. At the 29-minute mark of the first half, Long Beach tied it on a breakaway goal by Kim Jents, who benefited on an assist from a lead pass by Loni Wilson.

“I knew all along we’d have to face Cypress if we were going to win it,” DeAlejandro said. “Cypress controlled the game. It was really nerve-racking because the ball was on our side of the field so much. I just didn’t want to make a critical mistake.”

DeAlejandro was brilliant, however, including a diving stop on a shot by Shannon Leslie late in the first half. Leslie led all shooters with six shots on goal.

“I knew right where Cypress was going to shoot on me—the far right corner. I seem to play better when I’m nervous. I also had good defense in front of me. I was fortunate Cypress kept shooting to the same spot.”

Long Beach Coach Mauricio Ingrassia has now directed the Vikings to state titles in four of the last six seasons, creating a mini dynasty.

“Our goaltender was unbelievable today,” he said. ‘I knew our inexperience might show in a big game like this. Cypress had many of their players from last season’s finalist. They played really well, but we knew with each missed opportunity for them that it gave us a chance at winning. I’m very proud of this group.”

Ingrassia also cited the strong play of sweeper Sarah Chifcian, who frequently stopped Cypress from getting rebounds on DeAlejandro. Chifcian was one of only three Long Beach sophomores in the starting lineup.

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Reported by Robert Lewis