CYPRESS AND IRVINE VALLEY SET FOR OEC CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN AT NO. 5 IRVINE VALLEY
Both the Chargers and Lasers are ready to battle it out for the OEC's first flag football title.
No. 6 Cypress College Women's Flag Football (18-5, 5-2 OEC) is set to battle No. 5 Irvine Valley College in the Orange Empire Conference Championship on Thursday, April 30 at 4:00 pm.
The two conference powers enter the title game with identical 5-2 OEC records after splitting the regular season series. Cypress claimed the first meeting 25-18, while Irvine Valley answered in the second matchup with a 26-0 victory, setting the stage for a winner-take-all rubber match with the conference crown on the line.
The Chargers head into the championship riding strong momentum, having won five straight contests dating back to the regular season. Most recently, Cypress punched its ticket to the finals with a gritty 12-6 semifinal win over rival Saddleback College.
Cypress controlled the semifinal on both sides of the ball, scoring once in the second quarter and again in the third before holding off a late Saddleback push. Quarterback Maddy Banks delivered an efficient performance, completing 22-of-35 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.
Banks connected with Emma Farias and Melony Bernabe for touchdown receptions, while Devoni Ray added five catches for a team-high 67 yards to help power the offense. Defensively, the Chargers came up with three interceptions and held Saddleback to just 1-of-7 on third down.
Cypress now turns its attention to Irvine Valley for a highly anticipated OEC Championship matchup. With both teams nationally ranked and the regular season series split, Thursday's showdown will determine the conference champion.
UP NEXT: Cypress travels to Irvine Valley College for the OEC Championship on Thursday, April 30 at 4:00 pm.
Story by Michelle Navarro, Cypress College