While competing at Farquhar Field for the first time this season, the University of Redlands women's soccer team faced off against Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) rival, Cal Lutheran University, on Wednesday night. In a tight and physical battle, the Bulldogs evened the score late in the second half, but the Regals recorded the game-winner less than three minutes into the final overtime period, resulting in the 1-2 loss for the Maroon and Gray.
Both teams had their chances to score in the first half, but each responded with outstanding defensive pressure to dissuade quality looks at the opposing goal. Redlands recorded six shots but only two went on-frame, while Cal Lutheran unleashed four shots, including three that required saves by Bulldog senior goalkeeper Sabrina Grandke-Bawab (Kirkland, WA). Furthermore, the corner-kick tally was dead-even at two apiece after the first stanza.
During the second half, the Regals got on the board in the 63rd minute, when Katie Moyer fired off an arching shot from well beyond the goal-box in the middle of the field. She sailed the ball just out of reach for the first score of the game.
However, the Bulldogs quickly answered with strong showings in their own offensive third over the next 10 minutes. Following a Cal Lutheran foul, sophomore midfielder Savannah Laursen (Boise, ID) stepped up from 25 yards out to send the ensuing direct kick into the corner of the net, tying the game at one apiece.
During the final 18 minutes of regulation, both teams picked up the physical intensity of the game. They each had opportunities to break through for the winning goal but came up empty.
Following a scoreless overtime period, the teams regrouped for the final 10 minutes of competition. Early in the 103rd minute, Cal Lutheran's Mallory Carich tapped in the game-winner off of a simple pass from the opposite end-line, across the goal-mouth, by Kristina Hulse.
Redlands out-shot the Regals by a 14-10 margin, but Cal Lutheran won the corner-kick battle, 7-3. Laursen led the Maroon and Gray with five shots, including three on goal. Junior forward Tanya Haggen (Bellingham, WA) and sophomore midfielder Summer Norquist (Boise, ID) backed her for a combined five shots.
Kristin Bailey recorded the win in a complete–game effort, making two saves for the Regals (4-2-0, 1-0-0 SCIAC). Sophomore goalkeeper Lexi Felix (Kailua, HI) took the loss for Redlands.
The Bulldogs (0-4-1, 0-1-0 SCIAC) host Chapman University in an important SCIAC match on Saturday at 7 p.m.
