The University of Redlands women's soccer team welcomed Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) opponent, Cal Lutheran University, to Farquhar Field for a Saturday morning contest. Under beautiful sunny skies, the Bulldogs fought hard against their nationally-ranked opponents and came out on top of a 1-0 decision.
In the first 15 minutes of action, both teams remained relatively quiet, as play lingered in the midfield. Senior goalkeeper Hannah Menk (Pleasanton, CA) was tested in the 19th minute but came up with the necessary save.
Redlands subsequently raced it back down to its offensive third, where freshman midfielder Emily Falla (Woodinville, WA) uncorked her first shot of the morning, which forced the CLU goalkeeper to make the stop.
In the 26th minute, junior defender Louisa Alstot (Portland, OR) worked the ball to the top corner of the box and crossed it to senior forward Mollie Craighead (Descanso, CA). Craighead flicked the ball in the air to Falla, who volleyed it into the back of the net for the 1-0 Bulldog advantage and eventual game-winner.
Both teams continued to press but the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Maroon and Gray when the teams entered halftime.
Cal Lutheran elevated its level of play early in the second stanza and forced Menk to make three unbelievable saves. Following the offensive Regal spurt, the Redlands defense of Alstot, senior Erin Schlosser (Sammamish, WA), junior Madison Mills (San Ramon, CA), and freshman Abby Nordquist (Gig Harbor, WA) stepped up in a big way to stymie the Cal Lutheran offense through the remainder of the game.
Menk finished the game with eight great saves for the shutout.
With the win, the Bulldogs hand the Regals their first conference loss of the season.
Redlands (7-4-0, 4-4-0 SCIAC) looks to remain in the win column when Whittier College comes to Farquhar Field on Wednesday, October 11 at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will be selling t-shirts and tank tops in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Fans are encouraged to wear their pink to support this endeavor.