In a heart-stopping overtime thriller the SRJC women’s soccer team vanquished Santiago Canyon 4-3 and are the 2011 CCCAA State Champions. Cara Curtin swarmed up and down the field throughout the game attacking the Santiago Canyon Hawks relentlessly, scoring all four goals for the Bear Cubs. Battling against a talented and fierce Hawks team and surviving momentum swings back and forth, the normally stingy Bear Cub defense allowed a season high three goals. Refusing to lose and never quitting, the Bear Cubs endured corner kicks, a penalty kick and overtime, displaying uncommon valor and mental toughness in their victory. “That was easily the best game I have ever been a part of, the twist and turns in that game, just absolutely an incredible game,” Coach Luke Oberkirch said. Oberkirch in his first season with the Bear Cubs has navigated the team to a state championship after bringing Northern California its first CCCAA State Championship since American River College won it in 1996 and the first ever for the SRJC. The Bear Cubs seemed to have control of the game at halftime up 1-0. The Hawks returned in the second half playing exceptionally aggressive, scoring with 35 minutes to go to tying the game 1-1. With 29 minutes to go the Hawks scored off a penalty kick despite the valiant attempt of keeper Tara Funk to block it. Down 2-1 with the end of the game nearing, the Bear Cubs began to claw back as they starting having success moving the ball and getting shots on the Hawks goal. In a scramble near the goal a Hawks player was called for using hands and the Bear Cubs would have their chance to tie with a penalty kick.

Curtin took the shot and whizzed it by the Hawks keeper tying the game 2-2 at the two minute mark, propelling the match into overtime. Two 15 minute periods of overtime play would decide the championship. With three and a half minutes togo in the first overtime period, Curtin scored putting the Bear Cubs up 3-2. The second half overtime period is where the thrills really began. With five minutes to go the Hawks tied the game when keeper Funk lost her footing and the Hawks shot went into the net. With the clock ticking down  towards the end of overtime, Lauren Curtin managed to send the ball to her twin sister Cara, who was charging full steam ahead towards the Hawks goal. Firing the ball straight in, putting the nail in the coffin, Curtin secured herself game MVP and helped her teammates clinch the State Championship.