With a 2-1 showing in Monday afternoon's non-conference bout with UC Santa Cruz, the University of Redlands women's soccer team earned Head Coach Suzette Soboti's 200th career win in the sport, all of which came with the Bulldogs. The Maroon and Gray fired off 26 shots, while converting a goal in each half to nab the in-region victory for the coaching milestone.
The Bulldogs struck early, when senior midfielder Savannah Laursen (Boise, ID) took advantage of a deflected shot by junior midfielder McKenzie Oliger (Seattle, WA) in the 12th minute. After Oliger's shot banged off the post Laursen found a way to fire the ball past the Banana Slugs' goalkeeper for her third goal in two games.
Redlands finished the first half with 15 shots, highlighted by back-to-back attempts from senior midfielder Summer Norquist (Boise, ID) and junior midfielder Erin Lau (Reno, NV) that forced the Santa Cruz goalkeeper to come up with the save.
During the second half, the Bulldogs continued to dominate the offensive third of the field by uncorking 11 shots. Laursen provided another score in the 56th minute for her seventh netter of the season. Junior defender Faith Campbell (Bainbridge Island, WA) found an open Laursen on a short cross to the middle of the box, where she one-touched it into the back of the net for the goal.
Although Santa Cruz pulled one back on a corner-kick play in the 89th minute, Redlands successfully garnered the win for Soboti's memorable outing.
The Bulldogs utilized 26 different players in the win, including sophomore defender Leanna Vince (Redmond, WA), who made her season debut on the pitch.
Oliger led Redlands with eight shots, while Laursen tallied six. Seven additional Bulldogs contributed at least one shot.
Sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Menk (Pleasanton, CA) patrolled the goal for the Maroon and Gray, and recorded one save in a full-game effort.
Soboti began coaching women's soccer at Redlands in 1998 and just reached the 10-win mark in a season for the 14th time with today's result.
After the game, she reflected on the significance of the win.
"I have the best job ever, to be out here, outside, working with soccer. It's up to the [athletes] to get on the field and execute what we're working on. I'm blessed to be able to work with them. Getting 200 wins is great, and that's fun and nice to celebrate, but the credit goes to them."
Redlands (10-3-2, 8-3-1 SCIAC) returns to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) competition on Wednesday, October 28, when the Bulldogs celebrate Senior Night in the final home game of the regular season. Redlands faces off against the University of la Verne at 7 p.m. under the lights at Farquhar Field.
