OCC put in its place

CYPRESS — Allie Nelson stared at the ground, as disappointment came upon her.

She squatted, saying nothing. Just staring.

She assuredly added to the somber mood the Orange Coast College women’s soccer team displayed after the Pirates failed to prove they are truly among the elite.

Cypress, ranked No. 1 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America, dismantled the Pirates with a 5-0 victory on Friday.

OCC was left with the fact it missed an opportunity to make a statement.

Both teams entered 3-0 in the Orange Empire Conference in a battle for first place. But the battle turned out to be more of a blowout. And for players like Nelson, the result was agonizing, initially.

“I just don’t know what happened,” she said. “We came out slow and never picked it up after that.”

Though the loss stung, Nelson, as well as Coach Kevin Smith, left with confidence.

“Everyone better be ready for us,” Nelson said. “We’ll get them next time.”

The Chargers (10-0, 4-0 in conference), who posted their seventh shutout, scored two goals in the first half and three in the second.

They maintained possession throughout and put away the majority of their scoring opportunities. About the only negative for Cypress came late in the first half when it lost forward Yvonne Vasquez.

OCC Nichole Huff received a yellow card after she cleated Vasquez, who was left with a severely swollen left knee. Cypress Coach Tracy Van Herk said Vasquez’s ligaments were stable and that she should be fine.

Vasquez is tied for the team lead in goals with eight. She scored just before her injury in the 40th minute to give the Chargers a 2-0 lead.

That’s when it became apparent the Pirates (6-2, 3-1) came out slow.

“We played to not lose the game, instead of playing to win it,” Smith said. “We can’t do that against a team like Cypress. That’s a good team.”

Smith also said the Pirates wanted to make a statement Friday that they can be the best in the conference.

OCC had been known as an up-and-coming team entering Friday’s match.

“I still feel that we are up and coming,” Smith said. “I think we haven’t shown the way we can really play. (Cypress) had a lot to do with that though.”

OCC plays host to Irvine Valley Tuesday at 3 p.m.