Pirates put a hurt on Fullerton Hornets, 6-0

COSTA MESA -- Sophomores Jaycee Mahler and Fernanda Velasco each

scored a pair of goals to lead fifth-ranked Orange Coast College to a

6-0 victory over visiting Fullerton Friday afternoon in Orange Empire

Conference women’s soccer action.

The Hornets deployed an offsides trap that served its purpose in

the early stages of the match, catching the Pirates four times in he

first 10 minutes.

The Bucs adjusted to the strategy and solved the trap twice in the

next 10-minute span to open the scoring.

Sophomore Amber Blake was the first to break through in the 13th

minute. Bianka Gratzer fed a ball through the Hornet defense and

Blake raced to the goal, dribbling around Stephanie Baldwin for her

second tally of the season. Four minutes later, Velasco repeated the

feat off a feed from Lauren Cassity to double the advantage.

Melissa Mangrello made it three just past the half hour, scoring

on a more conventional play. Mahler was sent through down the left

flank and crossed the ball toward the goal. Jessica Bertoni headed

the ball back to Mangrello and she sent a 7-yard half-volley into the

net.

Mahler took her turn to score two of the final three goals with

Velasco scoring the other. Mahler raced through the trap in the 36th

minute, this time sprung free by Marissa McGregor, for her

team-leading 12th goal of the season.

Velasco ripped the nets again in the 59th minute, Gratzer

providing a cross to put her at point-blank range in front of the

Hornet net. Mahler put away her 13th goal of the season in the 75th

minute unassisted.

Margaret Landeros recorded three saves to earn the shutout.

Orange Coast (9-1-1, 5-1-0 in the OEC) hits the road on Tuesday to

battle Golden West at 6 p.m.