Hawks take flight swooping Dons 4-0

The No. 1 team in the playoffs was too much to handle as the best season in nine years ends

Published: Monday, January 25, 2010

Updated: Monday, January 25, 2010

Jermaine Ruvalcaba el Don

Amanda Chavez and the rest of the Dons couldn’t get their offense going against the Hawks defense leading to the 4-0 loss.

Like Cher, the Dons definitely believed.
      Despite losing to district rival Santiago Canyon College in the first round of the playoffs, the women’s soccer team had the biggest turnaround in history.
   After a 3-16-2 record in 2008, Head Coach Jodi Coffman inscribed “believe” on the back of the coach’s shirts as a motivator. It quickly became the team’s motto helping them “believe” enough to have their best season since 2000 with a 13-6-1 record.
   Although the Dons lost to SCC 4-0, they were proud to make the playoffs.
   “We are disappointed, but I am proud of this team,” said Head Coach Jodi Coffman “It was a complete turnaround.”
   Entering the playoffs as the 16th seed, the Dons were underdog to top seeded Santiago Canyon College. Despite odds stacked against them, the Dons played with confidence.
    “I felt confident,” said midfielder Yoana Leon “The numbers don’t mean anything.”
   It didn’t take long for The Hawks to show why they were So Cal’s top team, as they took control of the game early and began their offensive assault. With SCC controlling the ball for the majority of the first half the Dons defense finally broke apart, allowing the first goal. Santa Ana Goalkeeper Cortnee Kleidon gave up the second goal making it a 2-0 game going into the half.
   Although the Dons were down two it was clear that they were not giving up as they defended the Hawks aggressively.
    “We just kept cheering and tried to stay positive” SAC forward Amanda Chavez said. Chavez, who led the team in shots and shots on goal, came inches away from putting the Dons on the score board, but she was unable to convert.
   The clock and SCC’s defense made it difficult for Santa Ana to mount a comeback. Down multiple scores SAC played well but they could not stop the Hawks offensive assault.
   As the game ended some Dons ambled and others limped to the sidelines where they embraced their teammates. They shed a few tears, but hints of smiles began to appear, knowing that they had been part of the biggest turnaround in the history of SAC women’s soccer.
   Santa Ana may have lost, but they were proud of how much they had accomplished. They added 10 more wins and 34 more goals than the previous year. It was clear that their season was a success.
   “It doesn’t matter that we’re the 16th seed and they’re the first seed. What matters is we made it here.” Coffman said.