Cypress Finally Gets Elusive Title

It was just a matter of “Faith” as the Cypress College women’s soccer team ended a frustrating run of near-misses by winning the community college state title with a 3-2 victory over El Camino Sunday at West Valley College in Saratoga.

It was the fifth appearance in the state tournament in eight seasons for the Chargers but it was their first title.

“The kids were ecstatic,” assistant coach Tino Younger said, “and [Coach] Ray Haas is walking on clouds.”

The season was dedicated to 1996-97 Cypress standout Vedda Desatoff, who also went by the first name Faith. Desatoff has been in Mercy Hospital in San Diego since Aug. 15 because of two brain operations after she passed out during a practice at San Diego State.

Cypress players wore shirts bearing the word “Faith” during pregame drills and about 50 parents and other supporters wore ‘Faith” shirts Sunday.

Cypress (25-0-1) opened a 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes but El Camino scored twice before the half to tie it, 2-2.

Cypress sophomore Wendy Mattis scored the game-winner from point-blank range off a pass from freshman Jane Specht, who had scored Cypress’ first goal. Nicole Terry had the assist, her third of the tournament, on Specht’s goal.

Kim Needham had scored to put the Chargers up, 2-0. Freshman Trisha Forni had three saves but El Camino (18-2-2) didn’t have any solid scoring chances in the second half thanks to the strong play of defenders Iris Gonzalez and Alisha Van Tassel.

“I really don’t know how to react,” Younger said, “It’s too good to be true.”