STORY BY LARISSA SAMANO, SPORTS EDITOR
PHOTOS BY JEFFREY ARCHER AND JOCELYN PADILLA
The women’s soccer team here at Cypress College is ranked top 10 nationally and No. 7 in state overall with their strong start to the season.
They are currently the only sports program at Cypress ranked nationally and holding a steady record of 9-2-2 for the season so far. Conference matches have just started, but with the 13 games already played, the Chargers have scored 42 total goals with an average of three per game.
As the season has progressed this fall, the team has stayed consistent throughout. When asked what specifically has helped the team outplay their opponents, freshman forward Itzel Ramirez said, “We always wanna come in with grit… keeping accountability on the field”.

(10/17/23-CYPRESS-WOMEN’S SOCCER)-Melanie Hernandez, Cypress College Forward, fights for the ball against an Irvine Valley defender. The Cypress Chargers hosted the Irvine Valley Lasers on October 17, 2023, and won 9-0. Photo by Jocelyn Padilla taken October 17, 2023.
No matter who it is the Chargers face, they go into every game with the same mindset. Whether it be a state ranked opponent or their rivals, they know that having the proper mentality will give them the edge.
With plenty of talent on the field, the team is tactical which makes them difficult opponents against other teams.
As the season has progressed, more and more teams are looking to upset the top ranked Chargers team. Ramirez said, “It comes with a lot of pressure knowing teams want to come after your back. So, everyday we have to work really hard and keep our ranking where it is at”.

(10/17/23) – Cypress – Women’s Soccer – Megan Alcantara gets some air time after kicking the ball at the Irvine Valley net (Photo By Jeffrey Archer)
The team is aware they are playing with a target on their back and understand what that comes with. They have continued to prove day in and day out why they are ranked so high and compete at any level given to them.
“Our goal is to get to the Final Four and get that ring back,” Ramirez said, “That grit that we have as a team completely, we want to just accomplish that…and being able to say all the hard work through the summer and season really paid off”.
The school’s athletic program currently holds 89 OEC conference titles and 36 state titles, and the women’s soccer program is looking like they can have a historical season and add another title to both for the Cypress Chargers.

(10/17/23-CYPRESS-WOMEN’S SOCCER)-Melanie Hernandez, left, and Brianna Cortez, center, congratulate teammate Abigail Morales at the Cypress Chargers vs Irvine Valley Lasers game on October 17, 2023. Morales scored five goals in the Chargers’ win over the Lasers 9-0. Photo by Jocelyn Padilla taken October 17, 2023.
With seven regular season games left on their schedule, the momentum this team has could roll them all the way to the state championship.
Visit the link below with the season schedule to support the Women’s Cypress soccer team.
https://cypresschargers.com/sports/wsoc/2023-24/schedule