LATE LASER RALLY EDGES CHARGERS IN FIRST-EVER OEC TOURNEY TITLE GAME

IRVINE, CA - In a back-and-forth battle worthy of a championship stage last Thursday, Irvine Valley stormed back in the final minutes to defeat Cypress 32-27 to claim the first Orange Empire Conference women's flag football championship.

Both teams traded momentum swings throughout with Cypress appearing to seize control late before Irvine Valley delivered a memorable finish to claim the inaugural OEC Tournament crown.

Irvine Valley struck first taking a 7-0 lead at 5:10 in the first quarter on a pass by Akayla Chaple to Maia Helmar.

Cypress answered back at 7:47 in the second behind quarterback Maddy Banks, who connected with Devoni Ray on a touchdown pass before finding Mia Cabral for the conversion to even the score at 7-7.

The Chargers struck again at 3:18 in the second when Banks orchestrated another scoring drive connecting with Lelani Lito to set up Cabral's second touchdown of the game. The PAT failed, however Cypress owned a 13-7 lead.

The Lasers came roaring down the field with time running out int the first half, but Michea Wells came up with a critical interception for the Chargers near the red zone putting a stop to the IVC threat. Cypress headed into halftime with the lead.

Irvine Valley came into the second half with renewed energy and scored on a touchdown on a toss from Akayla Chaple to Allison Faggella at 6:51 in the third taking a 14-13 advantage.

Cypress responded once again in four minutes later when Banks found Lito for a touchdown followed by another conversion pass to Cabral putting the Chargers back in front 20-14 entering the fourth.

The Chargers added another score to start the fourth when Banks hit Ray on a deep ball to set up another Cabral touchdown. A successful PAT connection to Melony Bernabe gave the Chargers a 27-14 cushion, and Wells added her second interception of the game to keep momentum on Cypress' side.

But the Lasers stayed focused and ready to strike.

IVC mounted a furious rally scoring three touchdowns in the final minutes. Chaple got the rally started with a touchdown pass with 1:30 left in the game. A pivotal interception returned for a touchdown at 1:18 gave the Lasers light at the end of the tunnel, despite a failed PAT.  

With time ticking off the clock, Irvine Valley managed to pull out a much-needed defensive stop and got the ball back with less than a minute left in regulation. Chaple led the charge as the Lasers pulled off the winning touchdown on a rushing score giving the team a dramatic 32-27 victory.

Both teams will share the Orange Empire Conference title as both teams finished the regular season with 5-2 OEC records. The OEC Tournament Championship trophy belongs to Irvine Valley.

2026 ALL-ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE TEAM

OEC MVP: Maia Helmar, IVC

Defensive Player of the Year: Devoni Ray, CYP

OEC Coach of the Year: Sami Logan, IVC

1st Team - Offense

Akayla Chaple, IVC

Allison Faggella, IVC

Marisol Gongora, IVC

Lelani Lito, CYP

Mia Cabral, CYP

Emma Farias, CYP

2nd Team - Offense

Maya McKenna, IVC

Crystal Cervantes, IVC

Emily Harris, IVC

Melony Bernabe, CYP

Maddy Banks, CYP

Alisa Kangas, CYP

1st Team - Defense

Sara Johnston, IVC

Allison Faggella, IVC

Emily Harris, IVC

Lelani Lito, CYP

Michea Wells, CYP

Alisa Kangas, CYP

2nd Team - Defense

Maya McKenna, IVC

Marisol Gongora, IVC

Berlin Barraza, IVC

Richelle Rorick, CYP

Sara Gonzalez, CYP

Cami Flewellen, CYP

Story by Phil Thurman, Fullerton College

Photo courtesy of Jesus Martinez, Irvine Valley College