The University of Redlands women's soccer team headed to the University of La Verne to face the Leopards in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) tilt on Wednesday night.
Despite taking the exact same amount of shots, the Bulldogs, unfortunately, came up on the short end of a 0-1 decision.
The Bulldogs got off to a hot start as senior forwards Alexa Groesser (Denver, CO) and Gabby Hart (Burien, WA) peppered the opposing goal, outshooting the Leopards 6-1 in the first 23 minutes of play.
Junior defender Abby Nordquist (Gig Harbor, WA) also had not a nice look on goal but it was saved by the La Verne keeper.
The Leopards took the lead in the 31st minute, forcing the Bulldogs to play from behind.
Senior defender Mel Johnson (Bremerton, WA) tried to knot the score in the 43rd minute but, yet again, the Leopard keeper was there to stop it.
Early in the second half, first-year goalkeeper Kaiah Mooradian (Fort Collins, CO) made a few key saves to keep Redlands within striking distance.
In the 68th minute, junior forward Emily Falla (Woodinville, WA) blasted an attempt but it went just high. The Leopards made a counterattack move and took a shot but it was blocked by the Redlands defense. A couple minutes later, the Bulldogs were tested but yet again the defense was there to stop it.
Mooradian continued to step up in goal making two back-to-back saves, including a nice, punch-out on a header attempt.
Senior forward Skyla Wilson (Palm Desert, CA) took Redlands' last shot on goal in the 81st but it went wide right, resulting in a tough, 0-1, road loss.
Redlands women's soccer (5-8-3, 2-6-3 SCIAC) returns home on Saturday, November 2, for an 11 a.m. game against the Whittier College Poets. Prior to the match, the Bulldogs will be celebrating the careers of their seven seniors.