Pumputis Scores in Redlands Women’s Soccer 1-1 Draw with Illinois Wesleyan

Amy Pumputis scored her first collegiate goal during Saturday's 1-1 draw.
Amy Pumputis scored her first collegiate goal during Saturday's 1-1 draw.

On Saturday afternoon in Santa Cruz, junior defender Amy Pumputis (Redmond, WA) scored the first goal of the season for the Bulldogs as the University of Redlands women's soccer team finished the game tied 1-1 after two overtime periods against the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan University.

When Redlands earned a corner kick in the 16th minute, Bulldog sophomore midfielder Cassie Lively (Redmond, WA) whipped in a cross that picked out the head of Pumputis who found the back of the net with the header.  In addition to it being the first score on the year for the U of R, it was also the first collegiate goal for Pumputis while donning a Bulldog uniform.

Later in the first period, however, the Titans scored on a corner kick of their own, finding the goal in the 40th minute.

Redlands ended up out-shooting Illinois Wesleyan during the first 45 minutes, 5-3, but no more goals were scored.

After halftime, both teams came out firing, with 20 total shots recorded during the second half.  Once again, the defenses held strong and the goalies made the necessary saves in order to keep the score level at the end of 90 minutes, sending the game to overtime.

In the first extra period, the Titans tallied one shot, while the Bulldogs registered none.  The second overtime period, however, was a different story, as Redlands pushed forward and tried to find the game-winner, racking up four shots to just two for Illinois Wesleyan.  Neither team found the finishing touch though, resulting in the 1-1 draw.

Sophomore midfielder Savannah Laursen (Boise, ID) led the attack for the Maroon and Gray, notching three shots, while a host of other Bulldogs tallied two shots for the game.  As a team, the U of R held a slight shot advantage, 18-17.

Senior goalkeeper Sabrina Grandke-Bawab (Kirkland, WA) played the entire contest for Redlands, providing three saves.

The Maroon and Gray looks to capture its first victory of the campaign tomorrow afternoon when it takes on Whitman College (WA) at 3 p.m. on the campus of UC Santa Cruz.