SAC
SPORTS
MEN’S SOCCER
DESTINATION:
STATE PLAYOFFS
Riding a nine-game unbeaten
streak led by top scoring
freshman midfielder Jesus Nuñez
and freshman goalkeeper Frank
Aguilar, the Dons look destined for
the playoffs. Through 15 games,
Santa Ana’s overall record stands
at (10-1-4).
Nuñez is ranked No. 2 in the
Orange Empire Conference
with nine goals. He started the
season hot in front of goal, but
has slowed down since. He also
ranks second in the OEC in points
with 21 and leads the conference
with 30 shots on goal. The ball
might not be hitting the back of
the net regularly anymore, but his
productivity is still rising.
Aguilar’s stellar saves are having
a big effect on the Dons, allowing
only two goals in the last seven
games. With a strong defense
line in front of him, he is ranked
No. 2 in OEC with a .881 save
percentage for the season. He is
hoping his hot streak continues
as the team heads into the final
stretch of the season.
With matches against OCC,
Golden West, Cypress and Norco
left on the schedule, Aguilar,
Nunez and the rest of the Dons
hope to win out and take a
conference title. / Dorian Zavala
12
Hoop Dreams
S
PHOTO AND STORY
JORDY ESPINOZA
PREVIEW: Freshmen and returning guards key to Dons playoff hopes
tarting her 14th year as Santa Ana’s Head
Coach, Flo Luppani is looking at a young
core of talented players to return the Dons
to the playoffs.
The veteran coach has plans for the Dons to be a
force in the Orange Empire Conference this season
after falling one game short of the playoffs
last year.
“We’re way deeper and much more athletic this
year,” said Luppani. “We also have the sting from
last year and our returning players understand how
painful it was to not accomplish that goal.”
Last season the Dons finished fourth in the OEC
with an overall record of 12-14 (7-7) in conference
play. The conference takes the top three teams to
the playoffs and the Dons plan to be one of them.
One of the main reasons the SAC missed the
playoffs last season was because of its subpar
conference play.
But Luppani is confident that the team’s goal of
making the playoffs is a motivating factor for her
incoming players.
“I’m extremely confident, they’re all meshing very
well, and I think that’s a testament to our team
chemistry,” said Luppani. “We play team basketball,
everybody needs to do their job because
el Don Santa Ana College · October 29, 2018
everybody’s job is important and balance will be
key for us.”
Returning guards Sally Morris, Brianna Sanchez,
Cheryl Caldera and Cailey Vitug are all entering
their final season.
Point guard Morris is the key to the Dons’ offense.
Last year she shot 29.5 percent from the field and
28.6 percent from beyond the arc last season.
“I want to shoot the basketball more, but not only
that, I want to be a three-dimensional player and
go in for rebounds, driving to the basket and play
defense,” Morris said.
Sanchez, averaged three points per game last
year and plans to be a bigger offensive contributor
this season.
“Last year I know I wasn’t confident in taking all
my shots, but the coaching staff has really helped
me become a better shooter,” Sanchez said.
Caldera was one of the Dons’ leading scorers
and rebounders a year ago and is focusing on
team-building and developing a winning attitude.
“We want to dominate and just win and build up
that team connection to its full potential,” Caldera
said. “Our team is not like any other team, I feel that
other teams have clicks, but our team isn’t like that
our team is like one big click and we all get along.”